Thursday Tips: Making Marriage Last

Today is a special edition of Thursday Tips. In honor of my parents, who just celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on Tuesday, I'm going to share tips for marriage rather than weddings. Here are some of the things that I learned from observing my parents, that make a marriage last. (Incidentally though, couples... ahem, brides... often get so wrapped up in the stress and details of wedding planning that they forget about some of these! So read them and then go love on your fiances!)

1. Be best friends - Do all the things that best friends do. Talk. Listen. Laugh. Take a genuine interest in the things that are important to one another. Call each other. Do fun things together. Have adventures. Be silly.

2. Hold hands. Physical touch is important. And sometimes the simplest things - like holding hands - can remind you of your connection. It's just a quiet, unobtrusive way of saying "Hey. I like you a lot."

3. Sing each other's praises. I recently heard that the #1 sign that divorce is looming is... complaining! Then I realized that I never really heard my parents complain about each other (except in jest.) Obviously, I'm their child, so I'm the last person they should be complaining to... but many parents do! Instead, I heard them say what they liked about each other. When you feel like complaining about or to your spouse, think of a compliment or praise instead!

4. Get support. From when I was young (maybe even before I was born actually...) my parents attended a group called Marriage Encounter. They had workshops and retreats to encourage and rejuvinate married couples. Maybe those groups aren't for you, but having a time and place to refresh your marriage, and a group of people to encourage you in doing so is a pretty great idea, if you ask me.

5. Have faith - in each other... of course. But I believe faith in God played a key role in my parent's marriage. And let's face it, having someone to rely on besides another flawed human being can't be a bad idea.

6. Laugh! I think this one's self-explanatory. Being able to laugh together through all of life's crazy ups and downs can not be underestimated.

I learned lots more from my parents, but I wanted to keep it short and sweet. Hope these are a nice little reminder of the important things in marriage. Happy anniversary Mom and Dad!

Other awesome blogs participating in Thursday Tips: {Every Last Detail} {Bow Ties & Bliss} {Love, Milk & Honey} {Little Bit Heart} {The Oceanside Bride} {Catie Ronquillo Photography} {Stremel Photography}

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