Tomorrow, around 1pm, I will have been married 27 years. The gravity of that statement is not lost on me~ it would be difficult to articulate the thoughts that go through my mind as I attempt to reflect on more than a quarter century of a life built with my husband.
In some ways, 27 years seems to have gone in a blink of an eye. In others, it seems as though he has been in my life forever. I suppose when you meet your life partner when you’re only 15 (though we didn’t date until we were 17), that constitutes nearly an entire lifetime.

By this point, I thought I’d be a marriage expert but in 27 years, I doubt that title is ever really attained. I second guess many things in my marriage just as I second guess my role as a parent; sometimes my best fell short. Sometimes I didn’t do my best. We live and learn and try to do better..even 27 years later. In fact, especially so.

Several years ago, 2 bachelors (jaded by their respective parents’ failed marriages) interviewed multiple couples who had all been wed for at least 40 years. In their extensive research, the bachelors compiled 7 secrets to a long and happy marriage. I believe they are worth looking at whether you’re simply considering marriage or have celebrated milestones of longevity.

  • Divorce is not an option. If we have one eye on the exit, we don’t have our entire focus on resolving issues.  *Naturally, this excludes abuse of any nature.
  • There’s no such thing as a perfect marriage, only perfect moments. Expect non-perfection; practice patience and give the acceptance we want in return.
  • Unpack the Gunnysack. Unexpressed frustrations in a marriage can pile up and weigh us down like an overloaded gunnysack
  • Never Stop Dating. It’s the quantity of quality time spent together that leads to a wonderful marriage.
  • Love is a four-letter word spelled G-I-V-E. Most people think marriage is 50/50.  It’s not. It’s 60/40. You give 60.  You take 40. And that goes for both of you.
  • Join the CMAT Club. The CMAT club stands for Can’t Miss A Thing and represents the idea that life is short, so make sure to enjoy as much with your spouse as you can.
  • The Discipline of Respect. It is the catalyst for all things beautiful in a relationship: trust, connection, authenticity, and love.
Thank you, Matthew Boggs and Jason Miller. Things we should know but be reminded of…and often.
 Happy Anniversary, W. I love you. May we celebrate 40 years from now with a song like this couple. Is there anything more beautiful than a long marriage spent in love?
Be blessed,
Amy 

By Amy

Wife.Mom.Christian.Blogger.....and that's really just the beginning. :-)

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