Look who had their 69th anniversary this month.
These two continue to amaze me. Dad fights chronic UTIs, and Mom moves slower than molasses, but they are hardy stock from Indiana, and they have more energy than me these days.
People ask them all the time, what is the secret to marriage? How have you stayed married for so long? Here’s how they answer that question.
Mom: You just do it. You might argue now and then, but you work it out.
Dad: Just listen to your wife. Wives need to talk a lot.
Mom: Try to make healthy food. That helps you out later in life.
Dad: Pray together.
Mom: We pray every night that we’ll be able to handle what happens tomorrow.
Dad: Let her do what makes her happy.
Mom: Let him do what makes him happy.
Dad: Get away from each other once in a while. Everybody needs a break.
Mom: You have to forgive.
Dad: Marry the right girl.
There ya’ go. Feel free to print that out and hang it on your ‘fridge. These would be good wedding vows, don’t you think?
To “cherish and honor” is fine, but how does that translate into action?
Like this: “I promise to listen to you, let you do what makes you happy, make good food for you, pray with you, forgive you, and get away from you once in a while.”
When we’re all young and dewy-eyed, we don’t know marriage requires so much, like listening, forgiving, spinach salads, and asking God for guidance. Hollywood portrays it as roses and romance, or something to avoid. We don’t get an accurate picture of long-term commitment from the entertainment world, so it’s refreshing to see the real deal when we come across it.
My folks are part of the The Greatest Generation, and I think part of what makes this age group great is that they take seriously their commitments. Their word is gold. That kind of honor brings stability and security to a family, a village, a nation.
It’s the best gift my parents gave me.
Happy anniversary to your parents. 65 years is a great accomplishment. I like their advice. 🙂
What a great post! Convey my congratulations to your parents! They look just great, and their "dos and don'ts" for a long and happy marriage are wise indeed. I totally agree with you about the "greatest generation." Thanks you for sharing this very nice, heart-felt post.
Oh, how sweet!! And their answers are so true!
Happy anniversary to the happy couple. 🙂
Your parents are a wonderful example of commitment. Congrats to them on 65 years of marriage. Not many can say that for sure. I do love the advice and think any couple could do well to heed it.
65 years is amazing, so many people now days are not willing to work at being married, they marry and divorce in the space of a year, I don't get that. My parents will be married for 55 years in November and mum would tell you the secret is to let things slide and not fight over the little things.
AMEN!!! Congratulations to the young couple!
Wonderful advice! Congratulations and happy anniversary to your sweet parents 🙂
I love the "get away from each other" advice!
My thought is they have great humor! It fits right in there with there their 8 rules. What sweet people, I wish I knew them. May God bless them for their many years of perseverance.