As of two days ago, February 7th, I have been married for 31 years. By the oddest coincidence, Maureen has been married for exactly same number of years, to the day as a matter of fact. For as long as I can remember Maureen has always noticed and pointed out older couples that still hold hands and are attentive to each other when we see them in public. A couple of years ago we were traveling somewhere and in the airport gate area after we had left the plane a flight attendant came up to us and complimented us on how nice it was to see us holding hands walking through the airport. After she left I observed to Maureen; "We are that cute older couple now!" I'm not sure Maureen appreciated my saying that out loud but I'm OK with it.
With years is supposed to come wisdom and I feel I'm almost to the point where people want to know what is my "secret" for a long happy marriage? I find it difficult to beat the wisdom of Jimmy Stewart when it comes to advice to newlyweds. You have to check out this short video clip from the movie classic "Shenandoah"!
A few more gems to live by:
“I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her own way. And second, let her have it.”
- Lyndon B. Johnson
“To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong admit it;
Whenever you’re right shut up.”
- Ogden Nash
Listen to Tim Hawkins sing “The Wife Song”- If you are a man who wants to live a long and happy life, these are the things NOT to say to your wife. This video is hilarious!
He is another entertaining video with words of wisdom to live by: "The Man Song!"
It's no secret that I subscribe to having a "sense of humor" (you can decide if it's a "good" sense of humor) as being essential to having a long and happy marriage. And I have been very happy these past 31 years. And I love my beautiful bride with all my heart. But most importantly I like Maureen. Again, Jimmy Stewart's wisdom on the subject can't be beat.
There is a classic scene in the 1965 movie Shenandoah, where Charlie Anderson, played by Jimmy Stewart, has a conversation with his daughter’s suitor, Lieutenant Sam. In the film, Sam approaches Charlie Anderson to ask for his daughters hand in marriage. The conversation goes like this:
Sam: I want to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.
Charlie: Why? Why do you want to marry her?
Sam: Well, I love her.
Charlie: That’s not good enough. Do you like her?
Sam: I just said I….
Charlie: No, no. You said you loved her. There is some difference between love and like. You see, Sam, when you love a woman without likin’ her, the night can be long and cold, and contempt comes up with the sun.
You just can't beat "likin'" the woman that you spend your days and nights with. And now that neither of us is "gainfully employed" we're having the greatest of times traveling, sightseeing, and just being together (although I still won't go with Maureen to her Tuesday night dance meet-up group)!
So here is to our 31 wonderful years of wedded bliss and I don't know how to express how much I'm looking forward to all of the happy fun filled times ahead.
Happy anniversary to my lovely bride, Maureen!
With all my love,
Rick
