I don't know why men don't understand that the happiness of a marriage is in the husband's hands. It's not in the wife's hands. Because a woman is responsive, she reflects and amplifies what she consistently receives from him over time.
Give her attention, reassurance, and respect. She naturally gives back more than most men expect. Make her feel chosen, valued, and seen, and she connects more deeply without needing to be forced. But give her neglect, criticism, or silence, and her warmth slowly fades without you even noticing.
A woman mirrors the emotional environment. When she feels safe, she relaxes. When not, she protects herself. She doesn't wake up wanting to be difficult and she becomes distant when she feels unseen or unappreciated.
Nurture her and she grows. Hurt her repeatedly and she adapts by pulling back emotionally over time. The version of her a man experiences often comes from what he consistently gives, not just what he expects.