got gottman?

In 1993, The American advertising agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners launched the “Got Milk” advertising campaign . . . one of the most “famous commodity brands and influential campaigns in advertising history” (Wikipedia, Got Milk?).
I’m sure you’re aware of it, as the campaign reigned in the field of advertising for over 20 years and was well-known for its picture of famous athletes, actors, actresses, and other individuals sporting their “milk mustaches.” 
It was a catchy phrase with the intent to encourage people to drink more cows milk.  Personally, it was one of my favorite advertisements from my childhood.  I have fond memories of sitting in the school lunchroom looking at the latest “got milk” posters on the walls and giggling with my friends as we took a big swig from our milk cartons and formed our own mustaches. 

 
So, today, in the friendly spirit of sharing slogans, I would ask you:
“got Gottman?”

Dr. John Gottman, Ph.D., is a psychology professor at the University of Washington and a renowned expert in marital relationships
(way to represent, Dr. Gottman!). 
Right here in our own state (Seattle, to be exact), Dr. Gottman has created the famous “Love Lab” in which he has been able to observe, study, and research married couples and make some revolutionary discoveries.  One such discovery has been extremely influential for me . . . that communication (and particularly the “active listening” method of communication) is not the single answer to a lasting marriage.  I have professed this belief for as long as I can remember!  And I still believe that communication is a most vital and critical component to marriage.  But I am intrigued by Dr. Gottman’s findings that FRIENDSHIP is of first and foremost importance in marriage and will ultimately determine its success or failure. 
He says, “One of the most startling findings of our research is that couples who have maintained happy marriages rarely do anything that even partly resembles active listening when they’re upset”
(The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, p. 14).  

He goes on to say, “FRIENDSHIP fuels the flames of romance because it offers the best protection against feeling adversarial toward your spouse”
(p. 22, caps added). 
And finally, Dr. Gottman speaks of the importance of marital FRIENDSHIP by saying, “If you can accommodate each other’s “crazy” side and handle it with caring, affection, and respect, your marriage can thrive”
(p. 16, caps added).
Dr. Gottman's research and findings compliment the principles taught by Wallace Goddard, Ph.D., author of the book, Drawing Heaven Into Your Marriage.  Dr. Goddard states, "If we are to have a strong marriage, we must put off the natural man and learn better ways" (p. 3).

 

These better ways are ultimately what the Savior teaches us about God's greatest commandments:  loving God and then loving others (Mark 12:30-31). 
Isn't that what would ultimately help us to have a solid FRIENDSHIP with our spouse?  
As I continue my educational goals towards becoming a marriage and family therapist, I am excited to delve more into Dr. Gottman’s research and learn about how successful marriages work as well how how these findings can coincide with my personal testimony that marriage is of God.
  Just as milk fuels the body with nutritious vitamins and nutrients, Dr. Gottman’s efforts in the field of marital relationships is fueling my mind and soul with nutritious inspiration & knowledge and helping me know how to instruct others about healthy marriages!     
My milk mustache can be seen in the form of a “Gottman smile” on my face . . . because now I’ve
got Gottman!