Many a muggle is experiencing the hoopla and the excitement around the new Harry Potter movie and the upcoming release of the final installment of the books. I know I personally can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of of the book and plan to take pleasure in every page.

Because of all the hype, we thought this piece (in part below) from marriage.about.com rather fitting. The only lesson that we would add to their list is preparedness. Just like in life (and when fighting Death Eaters and other evil forces) we believe in the critical importance of preparing for your marriage and setting this most important of relationships up for success. Think of preparing for your marriage (not just your wedding) as an investment in your future together.

Twenty-Two Tips for Your Marriage from Sheri & Bob Stritof,

Although Rowling has her critics, there are many folks who have read her Harry Potter books and judge her to be not only a good story teller, but also a philosopher and moral teacher as she writes about happiness, fear, and one’s journey through life. Here are some lessons the two of you, as a married couple, can learn from Harry Potter and his friends.

1. Truth. Call a spade a spade. Don’t dance around a topic. However, truth in your marriage can be a double edged sword. Truth can be both beautiful and terrible. Truth needs to be used with caution.

2. Choices. According to Dumbledore, the importance of your choices is that they can show who you truly are. Dumbledore often focuses on choices and how they can determine your character over the long term.

3. Unfairness. Life can be unfair. Think about the many times Harry and his friends were treated unfairly, unkindly or disrepectfully by the Dursleys, Snape, Malfoy, Umbridge and others. Don’t give up when tough times hit your marriage. In the face of unfair and faulty decisions, expect better from one another.

The article also goes on to describe what Harry Potter teaches us about…

4. Relationships.
5. Friendships.
6. Goals.
7. Protection.
8. Courage.
9. First Impressions.
10. Second Chances.

…and much more!! It’s a good little article and worth a read. For the rest of the twenty two life lessons check out the whole article at http://marriage.about.com/od/tips/qt/harrypotter.htm

Happy Couples, Happy Planet!