Final Words:

Right now everything is about YOU.  The you is going to become WE.  Don’t be so focused on the wedding/reception that you lose sight of that.

The first year is the most difficult.  You are both used to getting your own way.  You BOTH need to learn to compromise.  When you have problems (and you WILL have problems) don’t start second guessing your decision to marry the man you chose.  If you can’t work things out, go to your Bishop, or go to a marriage counselor.  Do NOT threaten divorce.  The “D” word is a cancer to your relationship – never use it.  Try being nice again – like you were when you were dating.  You can’t change the other person, all you can do is work on what YOU need to work on to make things work.  The nicer you are to your spouse, the nicer he will be to you. 

There is nothing like the first time you hear yourself say, “honey, could you put the KIDS in the car.” 

“Kids” is a magical word that changes you from a couple with a child, to a real “family.”

Jesus said, “I didn’t say it was going to be easy.  I just said it was going to be worth it.”


Here we are on our 38th wedding anniversary (2008) - on our way to the Manhattan Restaurant in La Jolla for the best canelloni in town.
Here are some of my secrets to a successful marriage:
1. Never, ever, ever threaten divorce.
2. Never stomp out of an argument - give yourselves 1 hour to cool off, then try again to work it out (and don't think YOU have to always win).
3. No yelling and screaming - he's in the room. He can hear you. Calm down.
4. Deal with issues as they arise.  Don't pile them all up and hit him with a laundry list of things that bug you.
5.  Don't keep bringing up an old issue "you always..." Keep to the present issue.
6.  Forgive and FORGET!
7. Treat him the way you want him to treat you.
8. Mark his calendar for important dates (like birthdays or any other time you expect a gift) so he's less likely to forget. If he still forgets, buy yourself a gift and give him a big kiss thanking him for it.
.
I want him to be happy, he wants me to be happy. It's as simple as that.
 
For the final word, we selected this from Russell M. Nelson:
 

Happy Marriages Require Selflessness

 

“Meanwhile, mortal misunderstandings can make mischief in a marriage. In fact, each marriage starts with two built-in handicaps. It involves two imperfect people. Happiness can come to them only through their earnest effort. Just as harmony comes from an orchestra only when its members make a concerted effort, so harmony in marriage also requires a concerted effort. That effort will succeed if each partner will minimize personal demands and maximize actions of loving selflessness.”

Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Liahona, Nov. 2008, 94



Come back.  Tell us how much you spent on your wedding (the survey on the main page) and email us your favorite photos and/or tips.

 

From OUR family to YOURS,

Thanks.   Have a happy life…and beyond!