He wants to be closer; fiancée pushes away. ⋆ Colorado Marriage Retreats

Dear Neil: As a follow-up to your recent columns on how to deepen a new relationship, what would you advise if my fiancée and I have a sharp divergence of style or an important difference of opinion?

I grew up in a caring and loving household, and I crave greater levels of closeness, intimacy and depth with her. She, on the other hand, grew up in a very unloving household, where she was emotionally, physically and sexually abused. She acknowledges that she pushes away and distances when we get close, and that she keeps herself less available and less involved as a form of self-protection.

But couldn’t that equal trouble for us later on? She wants to keep things “safe,” whereas I crave greater levels of closeness. What do we do when our styles and comfort levels are strikingly different – and when there appears to be no hope of us seeing eye to eye?

Reconsidering in Wellington, New Zealand

Dear Reconsidering: Exploring the differences between you and your fiancee can lead to disagreements and doubts, but it also can lead to the greater levels of depth, connection and closeness that you seek.

Here’s what I would recommend: First, define what you want – specifically.

You say you want greater levels of closeness and depth. So which specific behaviors would give you that level of intimacy? Would she be more affectionate? More communicative? More revealing of her inner vulnerabilities and dreams? Specifically, what behaviors would assist you in feeling closer and more intimate with her? Be very clear about what behaviors you would like different, and then ask her for what you want.

Then explore what you think she is asking of you. What does she need in order to feel safe around you? If you’re not clear about how she would respond to this question, ask her. You also might ask such questions as: “What is so fearful about being close for you? How can I help you to feel safe around me? Is there anything you’d like me to say that will reassure you? Is there anything you’d like me to not say or do? What do you want me to do differently?”

Be willing to listen non-defensively, with an interest in learning rather than justifying your own feelings or behaviors. Look carefully at whether your top priority is to protect the relationship – or to prove her wrong or yourself right.

Now take turns completing the following statements together. These statements were stimulated by author Nathaniel Branden: