10 Tips To Make A Marriage Last: From Meg's Parents For Their 50 Year Anniversary
Today is my parent's 50th wedding anniversary, and I thought it would be really special to share 10 of their secrets to making a marriage work. Seeing my parents' love has been such an influence on how I always viewed marriage. It's the reason I never settled, and I'm so grateful I was able to have that as an example as I was growing up.
Here are their 10 marriage tips that they live by:
Marriage Is Forever
It begins with trust and the belief that marriage is for better or for worse. There will always be challenges along the way, but if you can count on your partner to stick by you when the going gets tough you can get through anything together.
You Are Allowed To Disagree -- Respectfully
No one is right or wrong, but find a common ground. Two people are never going to agree on every single thing, but it's the way you go about voicing the disagreement that matters. This goes for any situation! My mom always told us, "You're allowed to disagree with someone as long as you recognize that they're just as entitled to their opinion as you are". That thought process really changes how you go about voicing your disagreement!
Learn How To Say Sorry
Learn how to say sorry and state what you're sorry about. A sorry sometimes doesn't have real meaning unless you're able to recognize what you're sorry about and what you should have done differently.
Your Life's Order Of Importance: God, Marriage, Your Children
It's not that you don't love your children, but if your relationship is ok then they're ok. My parents have always been parent oriented, but at the end of the day the best thing for us was to see our parents happy and in a loving relationship.
Be Open To Change And Embrace New Experiences Together
You are each others home, so being able to adopt and get through changes and challenges together is so important! Whether it's moving to a new city for a job, co-parenting or anything in between -- Do it as a team.
Never Stop Dating
Never stop pursuing each other, and let your kids see it! It doesn't have to be anything huge, but always remind your husband/wife that you feel the same way about them as you did when you were first in love.
Keep Saying “I Love You”
Especially if you came from a home where it was rarely said, this means so much. Sometimes life is about reminding those you love how much they mean to you. It can be forgotten so often, but get back into the habit of it! It will brighten someone's day if they haven't heard it in a while.
Be Able To Laugh Together
There are going to be challenges you have to work through together, but if you're able to laugh through the good and bad times you'll make it through!
Never Go To Bed Mad
Don't keep things bottled up. Being in a marriage means you should be able to talk through the things that bother you -- Even if it's small. Make sure you clear up any disagreements before you go to bed, that way you can start fresh the next day. Being married 50 years doesn't mean my parents never fought -- it just means they learned how to work through it together!
Celebrate Your Victories Together
Celebrate your wins together or creatively work together to try again — failure is not a negative word! At the end of the day, you're playing a team sport. Personal wins benefit the whole team and personal shortcomings sometimes require your teammates to pick you back up. Your partner should be the first person you look for in a room to celebrate and talk things through when something doesn't happen like you planned!
Happy Anniversary to the best people I know -- Cheers to 50 years! I hope these tips inspired you, whether you're married or still looking for that special someone. If you have any other tips that you and your partner live by I would love the hear them. Comment down below!
Like this blog? Read our other blogs like HOW JOE AND I GOT ENGAGED. Click HERE to read!
