The Secret to a Successful Marriage

I constantly hear on the news or splattered across magazine covers about couple after couple filing for divorce.  I almost feel as if it is more commonplace to get a divorce than it is to foster a solid marriage.

Ever wonder what makes a solid marriage?  Hearing about the multitudes of divorces (famous or not), I decided to ask a couple that really knows what it takes that same question, among some others that I was curious about.

Married for 45 years today, here are their answers – my most-amazing, loving, caring, supportive parents.

Me: How did you meet?

Mom: We met at work.

Dad: We met because we worked in the same office.  We had contact with each other daily and became friendly.  Mom came to a few weddings with me as friends, and it (the relationship) just grew.

Me: How did you know she/he was “the one”?

Mom: We were friends and were supposed to get together one evening he couldn’t make it and I realized how munched I really missed being with him.  

Dad: I have to say we didn’t know.  I guess when you’re 27 or so things happen faster.  Emotions come over one faster and your mind just tells you this is right.  It is a different feeling than you’ve experienced in the past.

Me: How was wedding planning when you got married different from now?

Mom: Back then you did the planning with the family, not a planner.

Dad: Wedding planning was much simpler in those days. At least I believe. There were no wedding planners. Not so much seem to be involved with getting things together.

Me: What advice would you give to newly weds today?

Mom: Your dad got it all, but also “Happy wife, happy life.”

Dad:  Patience, tolerance, understanding and compromise.  Remember, you have two different lives coming together living under the same roof.

And the burning question and answers…

Me: What is the secret to a successful marriage?

Mom: Keep working at it.  The rewards are the most wonderful things in the world.

Dad: Allowing each other to have some space and compromise, compromise, compromise. And, as your mother said, feeding her Chinese food for days in a row.

My mom and dad are very upfront and honest when it comes to relationships, one of the many attributes of theirs that I admire.  Have any questions for them?  Please ask in the comments below!

On a funny note, I received an email that told a story about a group of kids that were asked a few questions about marriage.

How do you decide who to marry?

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
— Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.
— Kristen, age 10

What is the right age to get married?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
— Camille, age 10

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
— Derrick, age 8

What do you think your mom and dad have in common?

Both don’t want any more kids.
— Lori, age 8

What do most people do on a date?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
— Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
— Martin, age 10

When is it OK to kiss someone?

When they’re rich.
— Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.
— Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
— Howard, age 8

How would the world be different if people didn’t get married?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?
— Kelvin, age 8

How would you make a marriage work?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
— Ricky, age 10

Kids say the darnedest things!  Which answer was your favorite?

Please take the time to read other posts that are a part of the March Marriage Challenge!