Staying together for upward of 20, 30 40 years with the same person in the same home is really an ordeal if not for love. In many homes today, the husband and wife relationship has become a mutilated toy word. Some couples have divorced.

Some who are still together only speak, they don't communicate. Some are psychologically separated even though they still live under the same roof. Some still cohabit probably for the welfare of the children! This shouldn't be so. Marriage is an honorable thing. God did not ordain it for fun.

However, experience has shown that this problem could be nipped in the bud by simple methods of appreciation from both parties. Marriage could be an everlasting tea party if men would treat their wives as a lady. How?

* Women appreciate men who pass compliments. Tell her she is beautiful even if she looks like a gorilla. Admire her hair-do and ask if you can pay for it (only when you can.) Once in a while, accompany her to the saloon.

* Don't wait for Valentine period or her birthday to present her emotional cards. And when the cards are not available, even a love note secretly kept in her bag goes a long way.

* Once in a while, ask her to 'tuish' up and take her out to dinner. If not to New Yorkers or Sweet Sensation, what about that

* pepper soup joint around corner where you can sit together alone, talk and rediscover yourselves? Please, leave the children at home.

* When last did you bath together? If she disagrees, offer to scrub her back for her. Don't mind her, she likes it. She feels so cool because she would tell her close friends. This is however not ideal for face-me-face-you homes.

* A woman feels cool and wanted when her hussy blows her kisses on her way to and from office. Always hold and touch her in the presence of friends and visitors. You create a wonderful impression in their minds that you can't do without her.

* Now that the phone is pervasive, call her during office hours, even if you have nothing to say. #30.00 per minute would not kill your purse; it would only strengthen your home.

* Serve her coffee in bed. Let her feel like a queen not only when she is ill or expecting a baby that you run around for her.

* When both of you are not going out urgently, stay with her in bed and talk. The television can wait. Let the children enjoy themselves in the sitting room while daddy and mummy plan for their welfare.

* Yes, you have children already but she is your first born. So treat her like one. Sing for her, stay with her in the kitchen, stroke her back and gently tweak her ear to sleep.

* Lastly, settle quarrels with her before going to sleep. As the bible says, seek peace and pursue it. It is pertinent for men to realize that women actions are always reactions to men's actions. If you treat her like a lady, she treats you nice. We can make a good home if we learn how to appreciate one another.

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