Monday, June 20, 2011

ANNIVERSARY 30


I am a rich man. Today Joelene and I celebrate 30 years of marriage together -- 30 years to the same awesome woman -- together the parents of three terrific adult daughters. Over the past few years we've added two amazing sons-in-law, one grandson, with one granddaughter on the way.

Despite all the other things God has allowed me to attain, this is among the biggest accomplishments of my life, not because it was so difficult - it wasn't - but because it just doesn't happen all that often anymore.

I don't consider myself an expert by any means, but let's face it - I've finally reached the point in THIS area of life where I feel it's OK to give a little advice on the matter -- if you don't mind ...

  1. Marry your best friend. Don't settle for someone you have to talk yourself into 'liking' from the get go.
  2. Don’t expect to change them. What you marry is exactly what you'll get.
  3. Take trips together without the kids. Our kids never really understood this - they're beginning to now.
  4. Laugh together - but without it being at the expense of each other.
  5. Talk about things.
  6. Go to bed together … every night.
  7. Flirt.
  8. Decide who does what and then allow each person to do it well within the marriage.
  9. Give the other one freedom to soar and be their biggest cheerleader.
  10. Keep it spicy (you know what I mean).
  11. Never say anything negative about them.
  12. Dream together.
  13. Play together.
  14. Pray together.
  15. Don't have secrets.
  16. Establish boundaries with the opposite sex - not because you're so 'hot' or so 'irresistible' - (you aren't) - but because it honors your best friend and because it is right.
  17. Go on dates and hold hands. We did today - on day 10,950 (not including leap year days).
  18. Decide together how to spend your money.
  19. Don’t let your kids or your job become the priority.
  20. Say “I love you” often.
  21. Commit to God first and her/him as a close second.
... and enjoy the fruit of what the years bring. Here's to the first day of the next 30 ...

And be blessed.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a nice list. Happy Anniversary to you two! I hope you are having a fabulous time. It's a beautiful place to be...

W Griffith said...

Great advice PK!! Happy Anniversary! We love you guys!