5 Ways to Avoid an Online Affair

Husband and wife, Adnan and Sana Klaric, recently stepped out of a Rupert Holmes song and into divorce court, reports Metro.co.uk. Just like in Holmes' song, "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)", this couple found out that each was having an affair - with the other!

The Bosnian pair had each turned to the internet as an outlet for their marriage troubles and within the anonymity of the World Wide Web, unknowingly poured their hearts out to each other. The relationship soon developed and they arranged to meet in person. Imagine their shock when they discovered their online paramour was in fact their spouse.

Unlike Rupert Holmes' couple in "The Pina Colada Song", the Klarics didn't see this as an opportunity to rekindle their relationship. They have accused each other of cheating and are seeking divorce. If they had spent more time communicating with each other rather than seeking solace in an online stranger, they might not be where they are today.

How can you keep your relationship from slipping? Here are five ways to strengthen your marriage and avoid an online affair:

Forget the notion that you shouldn't go to bed angry. It's an old wives tale that couples should never go to bed before resolving their differences. Not all arguments can be solved in a few hours and most people don't respond well when they're tired. It's better to go to bed, sleep on it and regroup in the morning when everyone's well-rested.

Talk about the little things before they become big things. Just remember to be kind and specific. It's much easier to let your spouse know that you would like a goodbye kiss each morning rather than after a year or two of no kisses, blowing up with "You don't love me anymore!" Bring up small things before they become huge issues.

Schedule regular date nights. After marriage, a couple can fall into a rut of working and taking care of the home and family and forget they were once hot for each other. Planning a night out to focus on being together and enjoying each other's company can keep the spark lit in a relationship.

Fight like you want to stay married. Many people wouldn't dream of engaging in a screaming match with their best friend, so why would you have one with your spouse? When tension mounts, take a step back and ask yourself, "Is my objective to win this fight or stay married?" Keep that in mind and come to a resolution that respects you both and your relationship.

Remind yourself why you got married. There's nothing like a trip down memory lane to ignite old passions and tender memories. Snuggle up together on the couch with a box of old pictures and talk about the feelings you had for each other in the early stages of your relationship.

A little work and a lot of love will keep you and your partner from perusing the personal column or trolling the internet chat rooms. So let your spouse know that you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. You just may avoid the Klarics' fate.