Marriage consumed by differences

Dear Amy: When I married my wife, one of the reasons I wanted to spend life with her was I valued her intelligence.

Now, I can’t mention the latest pandemic news, or anything else, without her going ballistic if it doesn’t support what the president is espousing in his latest Tweets. She believes that anything reported in the mainstream media is a lie.

This leaves very little for a person who has no political affiliation to talk to her about. It is also very tough to get her to go along with many of the COVID- 19 safety guidelines.

She also wants to relocate from a very nice area — and the community I have lived in all my life, because she feels it is too liberal.

I am feeling lost. Suggestions? — Lost in California

Dear Lost: You two are at a relationship impasse.

When she talks about moving, is she really talking about leaving you? It undoubtedly feels that way to you.

Couples on opposite ends of the political spectrum can have healthy relationships as long as each recognizes the other’s point of view and tries to understand their rationale. Have your wife’s overall views toward the world changed, and if so, can she explain why?

Without offering defensive reactions to one another, you might find a sliver of common ground upon which to rebuild. And then you both can revert to the age- old wisdom of picking your battles wisely.

Marriage counseling could help you to communicate more effectively about your problems, including the direction you see your lives taking.

Her reaction to the idea of meeting with a counselor would reveal the extent of her commitment to moving your marriage back toward the center of your lives.