After 13 years of marriage, Bethany Meola admits that she and her spouse can become bogged down in the turmoil of midlife that comes with juggling three kids and two occupations. The six-second kiss felt so fantastic because of this. The six-second kiss, a daily intimacy practice created by clinical psychologists and couples therapists John and Julie Gottman, is exactly what it sounds like: setting aside a short period of time each day to make physical contact with your partner. “Putting it on the to-do list is kind of funny,” Meola said. She first became aware of the Gottmans’ work while pursuing a master’s degree in theology with a marriage and family concentration. It made a difference, even if it felt a little foolish at times. It lasts long enough to anchor you some what and say, ‘This is this other person that I love that I’ve committed to,’ and you’re resting in their presence in a way that feels sort of renewed,'” Meola said. She is also the co-founder of the Bowie, Maryland-based nonprofit Life-Giving Wounds, which assists adult children of separated or divorced parents.
