This photo was taken ten years ago when we renewed our vows.
FYI..The following person account is shared with permission - and thanks, actually- from The Hub. We sure don't know everything, but we've learned a thing or two from being together over 40 years!
It was a surprise to everyone—except our youngest daughter, Gina (in the background), who performed the ceremony.
This fall, The Hub and I celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary.
Thirty-seven years. In a row.
Our first date was on his 18th birthday, which technically means we’ve been together 43 years. It’s kind of a miracle… especially since I’m only 47. shh Life is funny that way, isn’t it?
Anyway, one of us deserves a medal, and I can tell you it’s not me.
The Hub and I are about as opposite as opposites can be, yet for the most part, we’re a great team and run like a well-oiled machine. The dialogue that sums up our life:
Me: “I make your life fun!”
The Hub: “And I keep you alive!”
#TrueStory
Three kids, too many deaths, an uncountable amount of pets, job losses, moves, businesses being born and being laid to rest, grandkids, health issues, personal challenges—and life in general—have brought plenty of relationship challenges.
There were times I wanted to run away from it all… and from him, too. I told him so.
He never did. (Or if he did, he never said it out loud.)
Through every bumpy, scary roller-coaster ride, he stuck around. When others might have left. When he didn’t understand me. When I wasn’t satisfied. When I complained. He never gave up on us.
There are eye-ball-rolling times, to be sure, it’s surprising our eyeballs don’t stay stuck up there. Even though we can predict the outcome of most situations with impressive accuracy, we still don’t always understand how the other person thinks.
We can barely remember life without each other. And we keep committing—and recommitting—to go the distance, even when it’s hard.
We keep loving… even when we don’t like each other very much.
I don’t believe all couples should remain intact. Sometimes it’s far healthier to part ways—hopefully amicably. But I do believe The Hub and I are better together.
What I know for sure is this:
Our relationship is much better when I focus on what’s going right instead of what’s going wrong… what I have instead of what I don’t… and the qualities I admire instead of the ones that frustrate me.
It’s empowering to realize how much influence I have over the health of our relationship.
If someone could please remind me of that next time I forget, that would be great.
It’s a win when:
- your partner supports what matters to you (bonus if they love it, too)
- you both feel like the lucky one
- you don’t hold grudges or keep mistakes alive
- you can discuss tough issues and learn from them
- you have friends of your relationship—people who want to see it succeed
- you can enjoy both adventures and boring, monotonous moments together
Now… your life. Your version. Your plan.
Who makes you—and your life—better?
Who supports you?
What one little thing can you do this month to make that relationship even better?
If you had just one minute to offer a piece of relationship advice, what would it be?
Mine is in the video below!
|
Stephanie Staples
Contact Me
