Love and marriage

Yesterday for me but today for Bianca was her 10th year anniversary. Congratulations! Ten years together is a long time but what about people who have been married over 50 years. I came across this list from a collection of advice given to new brides at a bridal shower from their grandparents:

“When you feel like saying something, you probably shouldn’t.” 

“Darned if you do, and darned if you don’t.” “When you have an argument and you know you are right…like 100% right….apologize and say you’re sorry…you may not be sorry…but you are going to be, if you don’t apologize.” 

“There is an old saying that states ‘Love means never having to say you are sorry’, that’s not true. Love means you BETTER say you are sorry!” 

“Keep your mouth shut and let things go. Some things aren’t worth being right over.” 

“When your wife is upset…clearly upset…just love her and kid her a little. Get her to laugh and just love her!” 

“Always remember that it is your job to make your spouse look good to others. Never publicly get a laugh at your spouse’s expense, rather, learn the art of praising them in public.” 

“Never retire at night with bad feelings toward each other.”

“Always remember, actions speak louder than words.” 

“Express your opinion but don’t be mean about it. Be okay to have a differing opinions sometimes.”

“You can choose who does something, or how it’s done…but you can’t choose both.” 

“Never stop flirting with your spouse and never stop having fun together. It comes naturally when you date but not so much after your married, so make the effort to always keep flirting with your spouse.” 

“Write a note to your spouse listing two things – 1. I love you because…. and 2. I love you most when….” 

“Nothing in life is worth losing the Spirit of the Lord over.”

“If you pray together, you cannot stay mad about it. So pray together each night.” 

All of their tips are great advice but that last one is my favorite about praying every night. I remember vividly when my old stake President gave me his advice saying: "pick a day like odd or even and make sure one of you will do a prayer each night on the even days and the other will do the odd days that way you will always remember whose turn is it to pray but always pray together each night. 

As we try to improve our own marriages and relationships let's take these thoughts into action. I think the clear theme to their words was that we need to be slow to anger, quick to apologize, and never stop flirting, laughing, having fun, loving and praying with our spouse. Thanks to all those wonderful grandparents who are such great example to us. 

Con amor,
Vero