| Wedding planning is stressful. Tensions are high. | | | | 4. You must appreciate those tendered regrets. |
| People say things they shouldn't. People say things | | | | 5. You must be willing to move on to resolution of |
| that are easily misunderstood. Feelings get hurt. | | | | the problem. |
| Hopefully, each of you will get better and better at | | | | 6. You must understand that resolution of the |
| proffering an apology as you move through this | | | | problem is what will move you forward. |
| wedding planning period. After all, isn't that why | | | | I know it's difficult for the person who makes the |
| wedding planning was invented? So that the two of | | | | apology, but not everything must run on your |
| you could perfect your sparring techniques so that | | | | beloved's schedule. If at the moment, you can only |
| they inflicted the least damage and kept the | | | | appreciate and not accept the apology, because |
| marriage moving in the right direction? Thought so. | | | | you're still fuming, tell your partner that you need |
| But accepting an apology isn't so easy either. It's | | | | time. And then take the time. It is not all right to hold |
| important to remember that anyone who makes a | | | | up the healing because you're irritated and want to |
| sincere apology (um, not one of those, "I'm sorry, | | | | punish your partner. |
| but"... apologies), deserves to be taken seriously. She | | | | For fighting to be fair, everyone must act in good |
| or he deserves to be taken at her or his word. | | | | faith. When you wander off the good faith path, you |
| Someone who can say both "I'm wrong" and "I'm | | | | need to get back on it. (and here's the news, both of |
| sorry" deserves to be forgiven. That apology should | | | | you will.) |
| be accepted. | | | | Learning to fight fairly is not easy. Talk about your |
| To accept an apology | | | | troubles learning this skill in your wedding ceremony. |
| | | | If you have role models (and it's a good idea), |
| 1. You must know why you're hurt. | | | | mention them. Make promises about fair fighting in |
| 2. You must feel that your beloved knows why | | | | your wedding vows. And then practice like a house |
| you're hurt. | | | | afire. You're going to need to be skilled at fair fighting |
| 3. Your beloved must make a sincere, good faith | | | | if you want to be married a long time! |
| apology. | | | | |