The strength of a new marriage in the Indian community relies on taking seven steps.

This past weekend, I attended my first Indian wedding, and it was one of the best weddings I have ever attended. Most of my delight was based on 7 steps the couple must take to develop a strong and healthy marriage.

What was so energizing was the love and the playfulness the new couple had for each other and the love that the over 300 guests had for them. The wedding ceremonies took place over a couple of days and there were several speeches that gave friends and family many opportunities to show their love toward the happy couple.

When we finally got to the wedding it was so picturesque inside and out with all the beautiful decorations inside the ballroom at the Breakers Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida and the wonderful view looking toward the Atlantic Ocean.

The most beautiful thing of all was the wedding ceremony itself. Even though it was in Sanskrit and as a non-Hindu, I couldn’t understand 99% of what was being said. What helped was the descriptive program the bride and groom provided all their guests. The wedding ceremony was broken up into 8 sections. The one section that caught my eye was the “Sapthapadi” (The seven steps of Holy Matrimony). The purpose of these steps are declare your love to each other that they have accepted one another voluntarily.The seven steps symbolized these seven sacred vows.

• The first step is for a pure household.
• The second step is for mental, physical, and spiritual strengths
• The third step is for wealth
• The fourth step is for knowledge, happiness, and harmony
• The fifth step is for virtuous, intelligent and courageous children
• The sixth step is for longevity
• The final and seventh step is for lifelong companionship

What’s so great about these steps is they don’t just have the couple concentrate on their devotion to each other as a couple, but they include the characteristics of what a healthy marriage should include. Even though divorce in the Indian community still remains taboo, I think it’s primarily not an issue based on the ceremony itself. If we could somehow include these words in our vows I wonder if our marriages would be stronger.

What do you think about the seven steps?

Coach Keith

S2S of the Night – The Girl Next Door

When I was in 5th grade, I along with a young girl named Scherezade were the only black students in our 5th grade in Texas. Of course, everyone teased me saying that we were boyfriend and girlfriend. I, of course, wanted nothing to do with her, even though she was cute.

Fast forward, 10 years later when I saw her on a visit back to Texas. What I felt was echoed in the lyrics of this song.

If I would’ve knew the girl next door
Would’ve been you
I would’ve been nice to you
A little more kind to you
I would’ve looked twice at you
If I would’ve knew the girl next door
Would’ve been you
I probably would’ve shared my grub
Depending on how close we was
By now we would be so in love

Do you have a boy or girl that you couldn’t stand that looked absolutely wonderful years later?

S2S Song of Night – Always and Forever (When was Your First Time?)

I remember the first time I heard a love song and thought of a girl. Her name was Sonia Rodriguez and I had to nerve to sing to her at the 3rd grade dance.

I remember mouthing these lyrics and trying to hit the high notes at the end.

Always and forever, each moment with you
Is just like a dream to met that somehow came true
And I know tomorrow will still be the same
‘Cause we’ve got a life of love that won’t ever change and

Everyday, love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me, you really care
And we’ll share tomorrow, together
I’ll always love you forever, forever

Unfortunately, it didn’t work, but It would be the first of many songs that would remind me about LOVE.

When was the first time you heard a song that made to thing about someone special.

iLoveStrong’s Top Super Bowl Commercials 2014

The Super Bowl Commercials this year were very similar to the game. Very boring. Who knew that you could have so many car commercials jammed into one football game. Since Strive 2 Succeed in Marriage & Coach Keith love sports and relationships, , we were able to find some great one’s that focused on Love, just like last year’s post. Here they are!

Honorable Mention – Bad Prom Night (Turbo Tax)- Because I had one of these, my junior year.

# 5 – The Stud Cow – You know I have to throw the one sexually explicit commercial in there. Since it’s all about relationships.

#4 – Puppy Love – I loved this commercial because sometimes even though we may seem incompatible to other people, we can’t help who are friends are, or who we Love.

#3 – Make Love not War (Axe Commercial) – This was good because, you weren’t expecting the outcome. Sometime’s that is how love is. It’s not always nice and neat.

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#2 – Cheerios – This commercial was fantastic because it had a gamut of emotions. I was glad they did another commercial especially  since the first commercial that introduced this family had so many haters. It was great to see the love of this interracial couple and the love between father and daughter.

#1 – Tuesday is World Cancer Day – With no words being said, this was clearly my favorite commercial. As the husband was driving miles to take his wife to her cancer treatment.  That’s pure love right there. Don’t Leave, that’s what you asked of me! Priceless.

 

Which ads spoke to you tonight when it comes to LOVE? Discuss!