With just a few hours away to begin celebrating our Wedding Anniversary, I realized it’s about time for me to share some tips for a healthy and happy marriage. But to be clear, I am not at all a professional or an expert when it comes to giving marriage advice. I am just basing my tips on what I’ve learned in the past eight years of being married to my dear husband.
But before I delve into that, let me give you an insight on the family that I grew up in. My parents were married for 50 years and they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last year…just a little less than a month before my Mom passed away. I have always admired couples who have reached years of marriage just like my parents.
Marriage to me is sacred and special. But I also know that marriage is a constant adjustment in between two people who are raised differently, who have different characteristics and traits, and who are both not perfect and totally flawed. Marriage is not a bed of roses, for sure, but it’s up to the two individuals involved how they would handle such problems, differences, etc., together.
So here are my tips:
Keep a Sense of Humor
Laughter is the best medicine, right? Both the Hubs and I can be really silly even in the most serious of circumstances. If you first meet us, we can really look very serious. But trust me, behind those serious faces are silly individuals who love to be silly, who enjoys corny jokes and loves watching corny comedy shows.
Spend Time Together
For us, spending time together doesn’t have to be a “Date Night” or a “Lunch Date.” Grocery shopping on the weekend is already one of our bonding moments. But we love to watch TV shows and movies together too in the comfort of our own home.
Support Each Other
For example, I support his interests. He loves to read books, so I love giving him books. He loves to play golf, so I support him by tagging along, being his cheerleader, not to mention, his cart driver. But I totally enjoy driving the golf cart, especially on those rolling hills. Really! And he supports me by being there for me when I need him, whenever or whichever way he can and vice versa.
Be Forgiving
Each and everyone of us has our flaws…no one is perfect. So giving him the benefit of the doubt and giving him another chance would be the ultimate forgiveness. Well, not unless he keeps on repeating the same mistake over and over again. Wink! But you as you go through life, you’re supposed to grow together, not fall apart.
Surround Yourself with Good People
I don’t see any point of being around people who have zero respect for you and your marriage. Or those people who doubt your marriage. Be with people who believe in your marriage and support your marriage from the beginning. Life is short so, spend it with the right people.
How about you? If you are married, is there anything that you want share or add to these tips?
Awwww. Happy anniversary! We’ve been married almost 29 years. If you can be each other’s strength when it’s needed (through the power of faith helps), you’ll celebrate 50 just like your parents! Blessings.
Thank you, Karen!
Happy Anniversary! I think it’s a great thing for people to share each others advice on a happy marriage. We’re in this world together!
Thank you, Brianne!
Happy Anniversary! My husband and I will be celebrating 23 years in June. We have been together for 27 years. I think supporting your spouse is so important. My husband loves fishing and I don’t. But I go so I can spend time with him. It makes him happy and I like to see him happy.
Happy anniversary! Oh, my parents’ relationship have all of these! Their sense of humor are so much sometimes it annoys us but not them. haha!
That is awesome that your parents have been together for 50 years, that is pretty amazing. We take it pretty seriously around here too, although neither of our parents have had successful marriages but we learn from everyone else’s mistakes, going on 16 years this April. I wish you all the best!
I think these are all really good tips. My husband and I have been married for ten years now. Happy Anniversary to you!
These are wonderful tips! I love that you touched on those toxic outside influences. We often don’t realize how much others have an effect on our relationship.
I have definitely found that being around friends that are actively always complaining about their marriage starts to effect mine. It is helpful to have committed, loving friends.
I wish there was more time for spending together. We are so busy with work and taking the kids from one thing to another that we don’t spend much time together at all.
My fiancee have been together for 5 years. We try to keep these principles in our relationship every day, but it always good to have a gentle reminder.
These are all some great tips. I think that spending time with one another is especially important, but hard when you have kids. Thanks for sharing.
These are such great tips, we are in the season of our marriage where things get really stressful and it can become a default to neglect each other in order to take care of the kids. I need to remember these, especially time together!