Rev and I are celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary today. It’s hard for me to believe. I can still relive the moment we met, our first date, our first kiss, and each and every milestone since.
We have a few do’s and don’ts that we’ve used over the years. We believe they have been helpful in not only having a marriage that lasts, but one that is happy and fun, too.
Our Top Ten Marriage Tips:
1. Laugh – We both love to laugh and we love to make each other laugh. Humor has gotten us through many of life’s difficult moments.
2. Flirt – Never stop flirting with each other. (Only with each other.) Remember how you worked at winning each other’s affection at the beginning. Don’t stop. Ever.
3. Protect – Put a hedge of protection around your marriage. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you will be tempted to betray your marriage vows emotionally or physically.
4. Be Kind and Encouraging – Treat your spouse like you would treat your best friend. It’s the best way to keep him/her your best friend.
5. Be Appreciative – Say “please” and especially, say “thank you.” Those two little words can get a lot more cooperation in a relationship than all of the nagging in the world.
6. Listen First – I am a talker. It’s not easy for me to simply sit and listen without planning what I am going to say next, but it is essential.
7. Compromise – Winning is not the goal. It’s hard when we disagree with someone to remember that our objective is to find a solution to the problem not simply to win. Always strive for a solution rather than a victory. It will help you to listen and think before you say something you wish you hadn’t.
8. Keep Problems Private – Don’t air your problems in public. Not even to your girlfriends. It is so tempting, but once you have shared information you have to worry about what that person will do with it. Don’t count on your confidences being kept private.
9. Pray Together – It will strengthen your relationship with each other and with the Lord. I will admit that there have been times when we had to turn situations over to God, because we were all out of answers and solutions.
10. Worship Together – Praising God as a family will bless you. If you don’t have a church home, I really recommend you start visiting churches to find one where you can serve, where you can make friends, and where your family can grow in faith.
I’d love to hear any tips that you would add to our list.
Having a marriage that is lasting and happy – now that is a huge blessing.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Congratulations on 40 years1 These are all great tips to maintaining a healthy and happy marriage.
Congratulations on 40 years. thank s for blog …..
Happy 40th to a couple revered by so many! It’s really nice to have your list of ways to make that happen! Your #6 inspires me. If you, verbal, insightful with-so-much-to-say-Deb, can listen more…then surely I can, too!!
I know so many people that have given in to temptation so easily. Marriage is so disposable in our society. Sad really….Good advice.