Today I have been married for 14 years! I love being married! My husband is truly a wonderful man! I first met my husband when I was 15 years old. I met him at a wedding. My sisters wedding. My older sisters wedding. My older sister married his older brother. Yes...I know it is strange. But... not that strange.
We didn't plan on getting married, but... I fell in love with him. I have always been in love with him since I was a 15 year old girl. We were married 8 years later. I still am in love with him today.
I am sorry for the bad picture. These were taken 14 years ago so they are not digital and I have not turned them into something digital. This picture comes right out of my wedding album.
Now.... I want to first state that no marriage is perfect. I cannot compare my marriage to yours and you cannot compare yours to mine. We are different people in different circumstances. But... I can share with you what has strengthened my marriage and what has worked for me. I know that it may not work for you and sometimes marriages don't work out, but I am thankful that mine has and I strongly believe it has been because of the work that we have both put into our marriage and the little things that we have done for each other, and these tips.
1. Put each other first.
I specifically put this tip as #1 because it is so important. Don't put your children before your marriage. Don't put your hobbies, your careers, your families before him. He is your number priority, that is the way God intended it to be. Show him that he is number one in your life.
2. Pray for each other.
I don't think that there is a day that goes by that I don't have him in my prayers and thoughts. I pray for his success. I pray for him to combat all the evil in the world. I pray for him to be a leader in our home. I pray for him to be a good daddy. I pray each and every day of what I can do to "show" him that I love him. I truly pray for our marriage.
3. Have fun together.
Do and plan things that are fun and adventurous. I think that this has strengthened our marriage. This last year I even did something for him that I normally wouldn't do. I went Parasailing. I am afraid of heights and was really scared to go, but I did it for him. It turned out to be really fun. I didn't even pee my pants.
4. Celebrate your marriage.
I strongly suggest that you do this. Appreciate and celebrate every year that you have had together. On our anniversary we try really really hard to getaway just the two of us, no kids!!! We have done this almost every anniversary. We have created some wonderful memories together. For our 5 year anniversary we had a romantic dinner atop the Space Needle in Seattle. We rented a limousine and cruised the town. It was magical. Sorry...no pictures of that anniversary. The iPhone hadn't been invented yet. He He.
For our 10 year anniversary we went on a cruise to the Caribbean. The best vacation I have ever been on, no doubt. Here are a few pictures of that cruise.
One anniversary we flew over to Disneyland. Good times that is for sure.
5. Keep your intimacy alive.
I know this can be a sensitive subject, but this is a must. Have a little secret stash of lingerie. Pull it out. Use it. If you don't have any... go buy some. Take the time to plan intimate dates, moments, memories. Kiss and hug each other often. My husband and I have a tradition that we have kept with for 14 years. We have kissed each other after every prayer that we have said over our food. It is just something we started and something we still do to this day.
6. Forgive each other.
This is a very difficult one. Especially if there are some serious things going on in your marriage. Like I said, no marriage is perfect. We are two different people. I know that for me... there are some times I just want to ring his neck, but I have never been so angry that I can't forgive him. It usually takes time, but once I forgive him the love comes back and we are "good" again. I know that once I have forgiven him I try really hard not to bring it back up in our marriage. I don't rehash the old problems. I try and move on. Sometimes it is even important to ask for forgiveness. As women... we are crazy sometimes. We are not always right and we need to admit it sometimes. If you ask for forgiveness it can bring a sweet feeling into your marriage. Just say... I am sorry... more often.
7. Be Happy.
I saved this one for last because I think it is the best. My husband cannot make me happy all of the time. This has rung so true in my marriage. I am in charge of my own happiness. But... a happy woman makes a man happy and can drive him nuts!!!
If you are happy about good times and bad, it gives you power, strength and beauty. According to my husband nothing makes a woman more attractive than being truly happy. Tell him and show him that you are happy. Tell him and show him that you are grateful for the life he has provided for you. There are many things out there that can provide counterfeit happiness, but a happy woman and a happy marriage equals a successful marriage. I am truly happy with my marriage and my man.
Well... Marriage is good. Marriage is fun. Marriage is exciting. Marriage is love. Marriage is forgiveness and Marriage is happiness.
To the man of my dreams... I love you today more than I did yesterday.
Carrie
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