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A Love That Laughs: Lighten Up, Cut Loose, and Enjoy Life Together
One of the secrets of a great marriage is laughing together. Couples don't need to choose between work and play, duty and fun, laughter and responsibility. This book will help couples learn how to use fun, humor, and laughter to lighten the load of everyday life, reduce stress, and grow closer together.
224 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2020
37 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Ted Cunningham
32 books14 followersTed Cunningham is the founding pastor of Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson, MO. He is a comedian on the Date Night Comedy Tour and the author of Fun Loving You, Trophy Child and Young and In Love. He is also the co-author of Come to the Family Table with his wife, Amy, and the co-author of four books with Dr. Gary Smalley. Ted and Amy have been married for 20 years, and have two children, Corynn and Carson.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 27, 2025
I like books on marriage. Other than theology, I have probably read more marriage books than any other genre.
This book on marriage is unlike other books I've read in that the author leans into his forte - laughter. Ted Cunningham is both a pastor and a comedian (a good combination!) and speaks from experience of both ministry and that of laughter. All of his chapters combine Scriptural principles and encouraging couples to laugh more in their marriage.
I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading the book! The chapter entitled "Every Marriage Is a Duet in Need of Great Backup Singers" contains outstanding advice coupled with biblical principles that will help every marriage.
Every married couple would be helped and encouraged by this book. Every pastor might want to consider having several copies of this to give away.
This book on marriage is unlike other books I've read in that the author leans into his forte - laughter. Ted Cunningham is both a pastor and a comedian (a good combination!) and speaks from experience of both ministry and that of laughter. All of his chapters combine Scriptural principles and encouraging couples to laugh more in their marriage.
I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading the book! The chapter entitled "Every Marriage Is a Duet in Need of Great Backup Singers" contains outstanding advice coupled with biblical principles that will help every marriage.
Every married couple would be helped and encouraged by this book. Every pastor might want to consider having several copies of this to give away.
February 25, 2021
Great book. Lots of wisdom presented in a very fun and engaging way. It’s not your typical marriage book, and it’s refreshing. Simply put, I am reminded that God desires for us to enjoy our spouses daily. Ted does a great job communicating that message.
October 6, 2020
I want to do this book with other couples. Ted Cunningham hit the mark on an another good marriage book.
October 18, 2020
This is a Christian book; but I haven't been able to find similar content in a secular book. I liked his book "Fun Loving You" a little bit better -- but got some really good quotes and info from this book too. I would give this to clients who aren't Christian also - there's too much good info here not to.
April 11, 2020
Shared humor is pretty much the foundation of my relationship with my wife. That’s not a joke. In 2010, three years before we were married, we both attended a Ted Dekker event where she one an exclusive first-draft copy of Ted’s then-latest novel, The Bride Collector. It came with one condition: only you or your immediate family is allowed to read this.
So, naturally, that evening—having failed in my attempt to get her dad to adopt me, I dropped to one knee and proposed. It was hilarious. It was all in good fun. (It’s on video, somewhere…) Three years later, she’s got me walking down the aisle with her. Guess the joke was on me.
A Love That Laughs isn’t a typical marriage book. It doesn’t try to dig out your love languages or focus on crazy cycles or determine your enneagram or whatever. In fact, its advice is rather simple: laugh.
I knew from page one I would be enjoying this book. Ted Cunningham, author of the book and pastor at Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson, develops his relationship philosophy much in the way a comedian would develop a script. Early on, he talk about the need for “callbacks.” In comedy, this is when a comedian unexpectedly ties in an earlier punchline in a later bit. In marriage, in shared memories that—hopefully humorously—put a current scenario into perspective.
The second chapter is pretty straightforward: Thirty-eight benefits of laughter. It’s a blow-by-blow set of paragraphs meant to convince you that laughter is good in so many different ways. This sets up the foundation for the material that follows. I wish that Cunningham had spaced these out more. The punchiness of this chapter quickens the pace and leaves the rest of the book feeling slow by comparison. It’s as if Cunningham uses up his best material in the first five minutes of a 30 minute set and is left adrift the latter parts of the book.
Cunningham is at his best when he’s riffing off his own life (and wife!) to illustrate the principles he’s teaching, whether it’s types of humor, or being sure it’s time for humor, or anything else. When he moves into other people’s material—telling Ye Olde Church Sign and Bulletin jokes—I give a chuckle, but it’s out of pity.
Chapter seven, Four Habits of Highly Effective Couples, is a particularly good example of Cunningham making his point well. Habit 1: Play as teammates, not opponents. Habit 2: Resolve anger quickly. Habit 3: Prioritize quality couple time. Habit 4: Speak words of high value. They are all serious points, but Cunningham illustrates them with humor and wit.
Each chapter ends with a challenge. You’re given a scenario and a possible point total. Your goal? See how hard you can get your spouse to laugh. Your mileage might vary on this one. Personally, I don’t even have to do the scenario to know how my wife would respond. A Love That Laughs is a nice change of pace from the “typical” marriage books. A solid, helpful reminder that living, laughing, and loving are the things angels wish they could look into. (You won’t get it, but my wife will!)
P.S. Dear Mr. Cunningham, I wish for you to know that my wife insisted on referring to you as Theodore Clever Pig for the duration of time it took me to read this book. What’s the clever pig say about marriage tonight? I apologize for this.
So, naturally, that evening—having failed in my attempt to get her dad to adopt me, I dropped to one knee and proposed. It was hilarious. It was all in good fun. (It’s on video, somewhere…) Three years later, she’s got me walking down the aisle with her. Guess the joke was on me.
A Love That Laughs isn’t a typical marriage book. It doesn’t try to dig out your love languages or focus on crazy cycles or determine your enneagram or whatever. In fact, its advice is rather simple: laugh.
I knew from page one I would be enjoying this book. Ted Cunningham, author of the book and pastor at Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson, develops his relationship philosophy much in the way a comedian would develop a script. Early on, he talk about the need for “callbacks.” In comedy, this is when a comedian unexpectedly ties in an earlier punchline in a later bit. In marriage, in shared memories that—hopefully humorously—put a current scenario into perspective.
The second chapter is pretty straightforward: Thirty-eight benefits of laughter. It’s a blow-by-blow set of paragraphs meant to convince you that laughter is good in so many different ways. This sets up the foundation for the material that follows. I wish that Cunningham had spaced these out more. The punchiness of this chapter quickens the pace and leaves the rest of the book feeling slow by comparison. It’s as if Cunningham uses up his best material in the first five minutes of a 30 minute set and is left adrift the latter parts of the book.
Cunningham is at his best when he’s riffing off his own life (and wife!) to illustrate the principles he’s teaching, whether it’s types of humor, or being sure it’s time for humor, or anything else. When he moves into other people’s material—telling Ye Olde Church Sign and Bulletin jokes—I give a chuckle, but it’s out of pity.
Chapter seven, Four Habits of Highly Effective Couples, is a particularly good example of Cunningham making his point well. Habit 1: Play as teammates, not opponents. Habit 2: Resolve anger quickly. Habit 3: Prioritize quality couple time. Habit 4: Speak words of high value. They are all serious points, but Cunningham illustrates them with humor and wit.
Each chapter ends with a challenge. You’re given a scenario and a possible point total. Your goal? See how hard you can get your spouse to laugh. Your mileage might vary on this one. Personally, I don’t even have to do the scenario to know how my wife would respond. A Love That Laughs is a nice change of pace from the “typical” marriage books. A solid, helpful reminder that living, laughing, and loving are the things angels wish they could look into. (You won’t get it, but my wife will!)
P.S. Dear Mr. Cunningham, I wish for you to know that my wife insisted on referring to you as Theodore Clever Pig for the duration of time it took me to read this book. What’s the clever pig say about marriage tonight? I apologize for this.
May 8, 2021
A marriage self help book with a focus on adding laughter to your everyday life.
Reading marriage self help books are a great reminder to keep dating your spouse. While my marriage has no visible signs of drift (as he points out in Chapter 8), I was gratefully reminded of areas I can focus more on to improve the quality of my marriage. In particular, I enjoyed chapters 6-8.
Chapter 6 talked about marital mentors, which he refers to as “backup singers”. What other couples in your life do you want to mimic? What couples are you spending time with that you shouldn’t?
Chapter 7 was by far the most influential and informative. What are the four habits highly effective marriages incorporate? They are: treat each other like teammates, resolve anger quickly, prioritize quality time, and speak words of affirmation to each other.
Chapter 8 was titled Don’t get a divorce, get a donut. What foundation is your marriage built on? The rock (Jesus Christ) or sand (nothing).
Why 3 stars?
I thought the book could’ve been condensed and I found some points to be repetitive. I recommend the book with a focus on the chapters I briefly highlighted above.
Reading marriage self help books are a great reminder to keep dating your spouse. While my marriage has no visible signs of drift (as he points out in Chapter 8), I was gratefully reminded of areas I can focus more on to improve the quality of my marriage. In particular, I enjoyed chapters 6-8.
Chapter 6 talked about marital mentors, which he refers to as “backup singers”. What other couples in your life do you want to mimic? What couples are you spending time with that you shouldn’t?
Chapter 7 was by far the most influential and informative. What are the four habits highly effective marriages incorporate? They are: treat each other like teammates, resolve anger quickly, prioritize quality time, and speak words of affirmation to each other.
Chapter 8 was titled Don’t get a divorce, get a donut. What foundation is your marriage built on? The rock (Jesus Christ) or sand (nothing).
Why 3 stars?
I thought the book could’ve been condensed and I found some points to be repetitive. I recommend the book with a focus on the chapters I briefly highlighted above.
August 16, 2020
My marriage definitely needed this book and still does. Somewhere along the way, we lost our laugh and our silly and our funny. I'm not sure where. We used to be such hilarious people we could barely finish a sentence without giggling. Probably between traumatic instances and other issues we've had, that probably most marriages face, we've forgotten how to be fun together.
I think this book really gives a map on how to overcome and love each other and find the light heartedness we used to have.
It's a must have for those marriages that have lost that spark and you want to get it back!
I think this book really gives a map on how to overcome and love each other and find the light heartedness we used to have.
It's a must have for those marriages that have lost that spark and you want to get it back!
July 16, 2025
I was listening to this book on audiobook.
I gave it 3 starts because this book is mean to be used as a guide to bring couples to start enjoying comedy together. There are his and her parts that are ment to be read and implemented. The author gives practical advice on how to get your partner to laugh.
I gave it 3 starts because this book is mean to be used as a guide to bring couples to start enjoying comedy together. There are his and her parts that are ment to be read and implemented. The author gives practical advice on how to get your partner to laugh.
August 23, 2022
Great content for encouraging a great marriage! I love the push back against "marriage is hard work." Yes, of course it is, but Ted urges us to get past that and discover the joy of living, loving, and laughing together.
Read
April 12, 2020This has some great ideas in it! To read again!
July 3, 2022
I love how fun, light hearted and interactive this is!
September 4, 2022
Such great reminders and new lessons! I haven’t done the exercises yet but I’m excited to do them soon :)
February 1, 2023
I enjoyed this lighthearted book about bringing laughter into your marriage. I've seen Ted Cunningham in person and he is a clean and funny Christian comedian.
October 26, 2024
This book is an excellent resource for marriage! Laughing together can strengthen relationships, and I highly recommend this book to all couples.
December 10, 2024
I heard this author speak in Fargo and he’s hilarious. I really enjoyed this book and am anxious to share some of these conversation starters with Dave.
January 12, 2025
Easy read...recommend seeing him in person and honor lists!
January 29, 2025
A practical and fun tool for building love and fun into your marriage.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews