August 21, 2012
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Doyle and I celebrate 36 years of marriage today. Every anniversary I think back to our wedding day and thank God that he brought Doyle and I together. Neither of us really knew each other very well having only known each other nine months when we “tied the knot”. I’m not sure I would tell very many people to get married if they only knew each other nine months, but surprisingly our parents were all for it. (Maybe they were worried neither of us would ever get married! Ha!). Anyway, it was the best thing either of us could have done. I think after 36 years I can say that our marriage has been successful. Does that mean our marriage has been easy? Does it mean we’ve been blissfully happy every day? It must mean that we have made a ton of money and live in a big fancy house! Or, that our kids are financially secure, and perfect in every way. No, not even! After 36 years of marriage though here are a few observations, I’ve made on how to have a good marriage. (I realize yours may be different!).1. Look out for the BEST interests of the other person…..ahead of my own.
2. Put the other person first.
3. Forgive always.
4. Don’t go to bed angry.
5. Laugh often.
6. Don’t take things TOO seriously. (But seriously enough!).
7. At least offer the last cookie to your spouse!
8. Don’t try to fix everything for the other person.
9. Allow us time to be alone once in a while (if that’s what we want).
10. Let us pursue our favorite hobbies.
11. Allow each of us to operate in our own gift areas.
12. Always believe the best of the other person.
13. Don’t always try to “fix” the problem, or heaven forbid, the other person.
14. Allow each of us be the special person God made us to be.
15. Grieve together whether it is the death of a parent, friend, kitten or dog..
16. Know when to let the other person “be”. Some days are just hard!
17. Nurse one another through sickness or surgery.
18. Allow each other to “try, try, again”.
19. Allow each other the freedom to be wrong and make mistakes without being ostracized or blasted verbally.
20. Respect each others different opinions.
21. Believe in each others dreams. (“For if dreams die, life is a barren field all covered with snow”).
22. Let things go in “one ear and out the other” when need be!
23. Know when to make issues out of issues, and when not to.
24. Respect each other.
25. Celebrate life’s large and small victories and accomplishments!
26. Pray daily together!
27. Go to church together.
28. Play together.
29. And most of all….Love each other!
