Just want to jump in here and say that i like your card game analogy zues. it makes a lot of sense
we need to take the approach of trying for high cards and say to ourselves NEVER lower than a 5. the cards we play are the cards we play - if we arent happy with the card our spouse play then we have to talk to them, we shouldnt start playing lower cards.
at least thats how i read it.
Both mid 30s, 2 young kids BD 7sep14 XW moved on long ago, now living with OM1 D paperwork in progress