My husband, Anthony, and I just celebrated our wedding anniversary 18. I'm pretty sentimental about many things, but birthdays are not one of them. Ours are usually simpler times: maybe a card and a good meal out and a couple of jokes about buying the game walkers.
In a way, this year felt different.
This year, I felt as if we scaled things ... as had survived something ... as we have accomplished something. This year it was only another 365 days passed, and that "not so good" was a year to be thankful. A year to be proud.
This was the year my son for his confidence and his smile. One year we lived in Great home school testing. My daughter has grown strongly. In our "clean house" is more than one way.
In a way, this year felt different.
This year, I felt as if we scaled things ... as had survived something ... as we have accomplished something. This year it was only another 365 days passed, and that "not so good" was a year to be thankful. A year to be proud.
This was the year my son for his confidence and his smile. One year we lived in Great home school testing. My daughter has grown strongly. In our "clean house" is more than one way.
So, in honor of our 18th year, I humbly offer five things I’ve learned so far about marriage.
A first marriage is made up of tiny solid actions.
1. A strong marriage is built of tiny actions.
"It's the little things." Such a cliché! These poor sentence structure! And such a truth.
Every time you talk instead of the application, strengthen your marriage. The same applies to speak with respect rather than sarcasm, and listen instead of fire, and we commit to the position of the eyes rolling.
Every action is like a brick. You choose if you want to use it to build a foundation or wall.
2. But don’t forget the grand gesture.
Buy flowers or surprise your partner with a stay, iPad, or a day of the dishes do not make your wedding. However, your partner will leave the daily routine and take notice. Sometimes that is all that is needed to get the ball rolling in a direction very nice.
3. Never underestimate the importance of a good laugh.
Sometimes life as an adult can be difficult, boring, frankly. Another cliche is here: "If I did not laugh, I would probably mourn." So many laugh ..
How much sound fun? Comedy? Jon Stewart? Idiot t-shirts? Jokes? Sneezing pandas? Write a "fun" list and are committed to having experienced at least one of those things together every day. You'll thank me.
4. All good marriages have a supporting cast.
It 'a strange error of marriage (a middle class, the American marriage, perhaps) that should be somewhat independent. If two people love each other, have common values, a small chemical, decent work, perhaps a child or two ... that could get the hang of it. That a good marriage takes the slings and arrows of life, if not free, at least the same.
Guess what? Life is much bigger than two people. Sooner or later, a wave sneakers knock you out and you need a hand to regain your balance. It might be something minor, like a house a mess or a bad habit. Or something big: job loss, a health crisis. It can be a good thing: start a new business or winning the lottery. Or something bad: a death in the family or business.
However, there are people who can help.
Support team everybody looks different. Some people have a housekeeper or a babysitter. Others include a marriage counselor or psychiatrist. Some need a financial advisor. Some simply extended family or friends. But everyone needs someone.
5. Treat your spouse as you hope your children will treat theirs.
The eyes are small. Little ears are listening. And small minds and hearts of the partnership and to know your wedding as an example.
I say this not to promote guilt, paranoia, or dishonesty. The worst thing we can do is to project a facade of polished perfection of our children. They are smarter than that, and so is bad acting and confuses them.
But it is good to remember that the kids really followed our lead and we must be careful that we teach. And we must dig deep for the right things. We are worth it.
I'd love to hear the wisdom of the brief marriage. What have you learned so far?
"It's the little things." Such a cliché! These poor sentence structure! And such a truth.
Every time you talk instead of the application, strengthen your marriage. The same applies to speak with respect rather than sarcasm, and listen instead of fire, and we commit to the position of the eyes rolling.
Every action is like a brick. You choose if you want to use it to build a foundation or wall.
2. But don’t forget the grand gesture.
Buy flowers or surprise your partner with a stay, iPad, or a day of the dishes do not make your wedding. However, your partner will leave the daily routine and take notice. Sometimes that is all that is needed to get the ball rolling in a direction very nice.
3. Never underestimate the importance of a good laugh.
Sometimes life as an adult can be difficult, boring, frankly. Another cliche is here: "If I did not laugh, I would probably mourn." So many laugh ..
How much sound fun? Comedy? Jon Stewart? Idiot t-shirts? Jokes? Sneezing pandas? Write a "fun" list and are committed to having experienced at least one of those things together every day. You'll thank me.
4. All good marriages have a supporting cast.
It 'a strange error of marriage (a middle class, the American marriage, perhaps) that should be somewhat independent. If two people love each other, have common values, a small chemical, decent work, perhaps a child or two ... that could get the hang of it. That a good marriage takes the slings and arrows of life, if not free, at least the same.
Guess what? Life is much bigger than two people. Sooner or later, a wave sneakers knock you out and you need a hand to regain your balance. It might be something minor, like a house a mess or a bad habit. Or something big: job loss, a health crisis. It can be a good thing: start a new business or winning the lottery. Or something bad: a death in the family or business.
However, there are people who can help.
Support team everybody looks different. Some people have a housekeeper or a babysitter. Others include a marriage counselor or psychiatrist. Some need a financial advisor. Some simply extended family or friends. But everyone needs someone.
5. Treat your spouse as you hope your children will treat theirs.
The eyes are small. Little ears are listening. And small minds and hearts of the partnership and to know your wedding as an example.
I say this not to promote guilt, paranoia, or dishonesty. The worst thing we can do is to project a facade of polished perfection of our children. They are smarter than that, and so is bad acting and confuses them.
But it is good to remember that the kids really followed our lead and we must be careful that we teach. And we must dig deep for the right things. We are worth it.
I'd love to hear the wisdom of the brief marriage. What have you learned so far?