The essence of spirituality, according to Leif Kehrwald, is presence: recognizing and responding to the real but unseen presence of God. Marriage and the Spirituality of Intimacy seeks to open the possibility of a unique spirituality for any couple seeking to respond to God's presence in their lives. Marriage can be deeply spiritual simply because its ingredients—intimacy, conflict, personality, friendship, play, work, health, love, nurturing, sex, faith and so on—go to the core of one's being. In these arenas spirituality can emerge and flourish.