Focus on marriage: Dr Raman talks about his marriage

Famsa is focussing on marriage for the month of September.
They chose Dr Gareth Raman and his wife, Moegsina, as ambassadors for healthy marital relationships.
The couple had been married for 15 years and Dr Raman said the best way to keep the fire alive in a marriage, is to continue to communicate with each other, to make quality time for each other and to show each other affection and support.
“Life and its many trials often test a marriage, but it should never affect your love for each other,” said Dr Raman.
He and his wife regularly have date nights and make sure that, though their lives are busy, they spend quality time together.
“We just get away for one night, without the children, to have the original us like before we had children.
“Show your wife that you love her. I make time to hold my wife, show affection and tell her that I love her every day.”
He said it is important for men to share their feelings and emotions with their wives.
“Men are often not in tune with their feminine, more sensitive side and they don’t talk about their problems easily.”
He thinks it is important that husbands should also celebrate their wives’ success and support them.
“It is of uttermost importance to show your spouse that you care and to be attentive to each other’s needs, wants, dreams and desires.”
When asked why Dr Raman thinks marriage is better than courting, he said it was because of the deep commitment, stronger emotional bond and partnership in building a life together.
“It provides legal and financial benefits, as well as a sense of community and shared support that may not be as strong during the courting phase.
“Marriage solidifies and deepens the connection established during courting.”
Dr Raman said he knew he was ready for marriage because he made many mistakes when he was younger. He grew more mature after that and realised what marriage meant.
“I was ready to have a life partner, a friend that I would love to live life with and one I would be blessed to grow old with.”
The marriage theme for 2024 is: ‘I Choose You’ and Dr Raman said for him it means that God Himself chose his wife for him.
“I firmly believe that who we meet and marry is pre-ordained by God. Often in life, we make our own choices without praying about it first, and then we learn from making mistakes.”
His go-to verse is Romans 8:28 which states: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.’
“Always seek God’s direction in everything you do, and He will guide your steps,” said Dr Raman.