Those married over 10 years

[southernclass]

My parents have been married over 35 years and they still kiss and flirt like it was their first date!! My fi and I are the same way. We have known each other since we were children and you'd think we just met yesterday the way we carry on. I guess what I am asking is what is your "little secret" that keeps your marriage alive with all the cooking, cleaning, children, and bills.

How do you find time for one another is this hectic world??

Just curious to know.

 

[flaps]

Originally posted by southernclass
How do you find time for one another is this hectic world??

My spouse worked over 80 hours again this week.

We don't.

 

[piglet too]

We don't "find" time for each other. We just take advantage of the time we have when we have it. We will be married 10 years in August, and I think I can say the same 10 years from now.

 

[Lorix2]

Going on 15 years....I guess a show of affection toward one another, respect and knowing we each have each other to lean on. We're best friends as well as husband and wife.

 

[disneysteve]

You can never "find" time. You can MAKE time. If something is important to you, you need to make it a priority, whether its exercise, vacationing, hobbies, or spending time with your spouse/family.

Fortunately, I generally work a 32-hour week so I'm home for dinner 3 out of 5 weeknites and I'm off on weekends so I get to enjoy time with my DW and DD.

I think a major problem in many relationships especially after kids come along is that the couple doesn't do anything just the 2 of them. Go out to dinner once a month. Rent a movie and watch it after the kids are asleep. If possible, take a trip without kids, even if its just overnite.

You mentioned cooking and cleaning. Those are 2 activites that we generally do together in our house. My wife and I both love to cook. We'll work together to prepare meals and enjoy time chopping the veggies and assembling the meal while we talk and catch up on what's been going on in our lives. Same when we're cleaning - we'll attack a room together and talk the whole time.

BTW, our 12th anniversary is in a few weeks.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

We've been married almost 17 years and have been together since H.S. . . .started going out in 1982.

I think the best thing about our marriage is our ability to still make each other laugh . . .we are on the same wavelength as well. We have our little spats too, but it all works out in the end. Our kids think its gross that we still kiss.

 

[PCWizard]

For DW and I, it will be 20 years this December.

Just remember a few things...

Be patient with each other.

Enjoy every moment of time you do have, as there are no guarantees.

Every day tell your spouse you love them - and make sure they know it.

 

[southernclass]

Originally posted by Wish Upon A Star
We've been married almost 17 years and have been together since H.S. . . .started going out in 1982.

I think the best thing about our marriage is our ability to still make each other laugh . . .we are on the same wavelength as well. We have our little spats too, but it all works out in the end. Our kids think its gross that we still kiss.

That sounds just like me and my fi. We could have the biggest argument and then we are kissing and he is calling me his princess two seconds later.

Thank you all for sharing for stories.

 

[Rollwithit]

Hot monkey you-know-what every chance we get.

Twenty-two years this coming July.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by Rollwithit
Hot monkey you-know-what

...boy??

 

[jimmalru80]

DW and I started dating in 1975 during high school. Married for 23 years now, we still enjoy each others company as much as we did on day #1. Granted, at times it wasn't easy, but you don't reap rewards unless you work at it.

 

[Rollwithit]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
...boy??

Sssssshhhhhhhhhh......

 

[Trish Bessette]

Coming upon 13 years married but have been together for almost 20 years!

RESPECT. The most important component. I love him and am thankful he is in my life.

Since we've had children we've always made time for each other. Now that our girls are older (7 & 10) each night when my husband gets home from work (I get home before him) we go into our bedroom and just talk about our day. It is our place to escape for what could be 5 minutes or 20 minutes each day and be able to discuss whatever.

Good luck for many years of happiness!

 

[Lachesis00]

10 years in December and this really rings true for us too...

Originally posted by Lorix2
Going on 15 years....I guess a show of affection toward one another, respect and knowing we each have each other to lean on. We're best friends as well as husband and wife.

 

[monkeyboy]

who called me?

 

[southernclass]

That is how I feel about my fi. A lot of people say you have to be friends first but then those same people go out and totally dis-respect, cheat and lie to their spouses. My fi and I are TRULY best friends. Even if things did not work out with us as a couple, I would never want to live my life without his smile and encouragement to guide me. I love him un-conditionally.

 

[tc]

Just celebrated 24 years in May. Our secret? Laughter! There are other things, too, but we have so much fun together. We keep God at the center of our relationship, talk often and about everything, cook together, take walks often, put the others needs, wants, and feeling first, take a lot of vacations to WDW. I can't imagine what life would be like w/o Stephen in it. He's my best friend, lover, confidante, laugh partner, etc. I can't even say it's been hard. Sure, life's hard, but staying married to this wonderful man, and loving every minute of it has been a piece of cake!

 

[southernclass]

[QUOTE}
We keep God at the center of our relationship, talk often and about everything, cook together, take walks often, put the others needs, wants, and feeling first, take a lot of vacations to WDW.


Ditto on that!! I don't understand how people can survive without that.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

We keep God at the center of our relationship, talk often and about everything, cook together, take walks often, put the others needs, wants, and feeling first, take a lot of vacations to WDW.

well that is just so sweet. When are you and "fi" getting married?

 

[southernclass]

Originally posted by Toby'sFriend
well that is just so sweet. When are you and "fi" getting married?

In April of 2005 on the beach where he proposed!! I can't wait!!!