Marriage and a Friend

They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning.
-- Clint Eastwood

Married couples who love each other tell each other a thousand things without talking.
-- Chinese Proverb

Successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
-- German Greer

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
-- Milton Berle



Being married a quarter of a century to the same woman (also known as Angel and Saint), I feel gives me the right to offer some suggestions on marriage. So here we go…

First, when you choose your mate you need to make sure you are friends first.

My wife and I started out as two young people in the same youth group at church. I can say at the age of 15 we did not see “eye to eye” on very many things including what a hot hunk of man I was. So we dated off and on (more off than on) until we were both out of college. After college I was finally able to make her realized what a hot hunk of man candy I was/am. She fell immediately in love with me, so I asked her to marry me. She said “yes” without hesitation, and begged me to take her to the preacher the following year because she could not wait any longer than that to become my bride.

So what did we learn from this love story….the “friends thing” is crap. The attraction gets you to the alter, the “friends thing” keeps you together and makes you thankful everyday that you have someone in your life that knows you better and love you more than you ever thought anyone could. They are the person that misses you when you are gone, and hugs you tight when you are together.

Second, you had better learn to laugh.

You are going to have some very trying times in a marriage. So you need to make sure you have a sense of humor. I believe my wife will confirm that I do have a sense of humor and at times maybe too much. Believe me when I say, there are going to be two types of tears in a marriage Sad and Happy. You need to make sure that the balance tips to the happy side more than the sad. Understand, no matter the situation you control how you approach it.

Finally, communicate with each other.

Unlike my wife, I am no mind reader, and I do not get clues very well either. At times it takes a bat to make me understand. I would offer up the idea of verbal communication. Tell each other what you think, feel, or hope, and guys when she tells you …nod and say “yes, I fully agree”, unless the question is “Does this make my butt look big?” then just walk away very fast.

In conclusion, you can see from above I have no clue about what makes a marriage successful and happy. It takes work and common bonds. Stick with it and prepare for the ride of your life.


A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it.
--anonymous

Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you.
--Author Unknown