***Toilet seats can come between you and your spouse!

By America’s #1 Love and Marriage Experts. As we say repeatedly, the simple things matter in love and marriage. Do the simple things and your marriage or loving relationship will prosper. Charley learned his lesson some 43 years ago! He grew up in a rural area of Missouri back when outhouses were more prevalent than toilets that flushed! When we first got married some 43 years ago, Charley, “the consummate gentleman” as Liz refers to him, had to learn an important lesson about toilet seats. As it turns out, toilet seats are designed to protect women and save marriages! There are four kinds of husbands when it comes to Toilet Seat Love. Here they are, briefly described. First, husband number one goes to the bathroom. He lifts the seat and goes, then replaces the seat in its down position. Wife loves husband when he does this! The marriage is saved! Husband number two fails to lift the seat and, thusly, goes ON the seat. But, being a kind and respectful husband, he cleans up his mess with a handful of Kleenex. Wife still loves husband but not as much. The third kind of husband goes to the bathroom, doesn’t lift the seat, goes ON seat, doesn’t clean seat, and wife sits in his mess later that day. Wife is not happy with husband! Trust us on this. The fourth kind of husband raises the seat before he goes, but leaves seat in the upright position when he is done. Later that day, wife sits in the toilet bowl and the impact splashes toilet bowl contents on the floor. Occasionally, she gets stuck in bowl and needs assistance in getting out. Wife does not love husband when he does this. The marriage is in jeopardy! We hope you enjoyed the levity of this little story but, more importantly, you find its meaning to be helpful as you think about the simple things that make your loving relationship with someone else thrive. Toilet Seat Love describes just one of those simple things that really matter. Always remember that lasting relationships and successful marriages are built on an accumulation of the simple things. Simple Things Matter in love and marriage. Love well! By Dr. Charles D. Schmitz and Dr. Elizabeth A. Schmitz Authors of the best-selling book and multiple-award winning book Building a Love that Lasts: The Seven Surprising Secrets of Successful Marriage (Jossey-Bass/Wiley 2010) Available wherever books are sold. Winner of the INDIE Book Awards GOLD Medal for Best Relationship Book Winner of the 2009 Mom’s Choice Awards GOLD Medal for Most Outstanding Relationships and Marriage Book 2009 Nautilus Book Awards Winner for Relationships