Tell me some happy marriage stories

[Just_wondering]

I’m the kind of person that people come to when they have problems. I offer a nice shoulder to cry on, and I’m a good listener. I usually don’t offer advice unless asked, and if I don’t have anything nice to say, I don’t say anything at all. I’m also a pretty optimistic person. However, I need to hear from a few happy people to boost my faith in marriage. There must be something in the air here - this has been a bad week for relationships among my circle of friends.

In the past week or so, three friends came up to me and needed a shoulder to cry on about their relationships. One woman decided to get a divorce from her abusive husband, against the advice of her parents and most of her friends. She needed me to tell her that it wasn’t selfish to take care of her own safety.

Another friend has been having problems with his wife. His wife is convinced he’s having an affair, when he’s not. (I believe him on this.) She’s angry and suspicious, phones him every hour to check on his whereabouts, wants him to come home immediately after work with no detours, and won’t let him see any of his friends, male or female. He still wants to save the marriage, and is going to start counselling next month. She’s threatening divorce, but I think since she’s reacting so badly to the imagined affair, she must love him enough to try to make a go of it. My friend wanted me to reassure him that trying to save his marriage was a good idea.

A third friend decided to call things off with her fiance because she just felt they couldn’t communicate well enough. There were parts of her life (her interest in art, for example) that were really important to her that she felt she couldn’t share with him. I remember a few months ago, he told me how saddened he was that he couldn’t share his faith with her, for fear of her ridiculing it (he’s Catholic, she’s atheist). She wanted me to tell her that she wasn’t making a big mistake breaking up with a great guy who loves her because they couldn’t discuss things that were important to them.

So I let each of my troubled friends cry on my shoulder, and I told the two married friends that each of them was making the right choice. My friend who broke up with her fiance I had to tell that I didn’t know whether what she did was right or wrong, and only she could know that. Her fiance is a great guy, and they might be able to make it work - but only if they both work on communication.

Anyway, I feel as if relationships are really tough this week. My reserves of optimism and “you’ll get through this” are getting low. Top me up?

 

[Just_wondering]

Hehehe… Isn’t it nice that I live in Asia, where there are little bits of optimism just lying around waiting for me to notice them?

I was washing dishes and thinking of my friends when I noticed that my breadboard has a message printed on it that I’d never read before.

Fruits and Sunflower Park
Just wanted to remind you
that you’ve got my love and devotion,
always and forever!

It’s great to live in Korea. You never know when your breadboard, toaster, or even your pencilcase will suddenly declare its undying devotion for you!

Now I know my breadboard will never leave me, I can go to bed content.

 

[twosweetgirls]

Gads, do you and I have the same friends? Two of mine are having affairs, one will likely be divorced by year’s end, and the fourth’s ex-wife is pregnant with the sperm donor du jour. Loads of children are all being affected. So yeah, it can be depressing, can’t it? I totally hear you.

Two things: I’ve been praying like crazy for all marriages (in addition to those of my friends). I slip the request in practically every prayer, especially my Rosary. That seems to help; helps me feel like I’m actually doing something useful and proactive on their behalf.

Second, I had my own marriage validated by the Catholic Church last week, and I can’t begin to tell you how that has blessed our relationship. So, do everything you can to strengthen your own marriage, and tell your spouse that! My DH knows of the marital agonies of my friends, and I’m always very clear to communicate to him how I never want anything like that in our own marriage. Telling him that lets him know how much I–and Jesus–want US to stay committed and loving to each other.

 

[sandraladeda]

I’ll tell you a happy story.

My parents married in 1960, and had 4 children. They were young and poor in the early years, but my mom stayed home with us and my dad worked very hard to give us a good life. All through my childhood, there was one thing I knew with great certainty - my parents were in love! When dad came home form work, he would swoop into the kitchen and my parents would embrace and smooch, right there for us kids to see. As a young girl, I loved when they went out at night. I loved to watch my mother put on her makeup and dress up, and watch dad polsih his shoes and press his slacks. They were a smart looking couple! I can still smell mom’s perfume! On Saturdays, they would dress nice and go downtown to shop. Dad has a flair for clothes, and know my mothers’ styles, sizes, and preferences. Thet would go for lunch and shop all day Saturday. My dad’s friends would often ask him to spend a Saturday at a football game, or at the track, or playing poker, or whatever. Dad would say “I’d rather be with my wife”.

As a teen, my friends loved to come to our house, and could bet on one thing on a Friday or Saturday night - there would be my mom and dad, snuggled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching a movie.

My mom and dad celebrated their 48th anniversary last month. They are still madly in love, still tickled to be with each other.

There is your happy marrige story for the day!!

God Bless, I’m off to mass!

 

[yellowbicycle]

My friend’s parents…going on 40 years married now…and her dad, well, he decided that celebrating their anniversary once a year wasn’t enough. So, on the 15th of EVERY MONTH, he buys his wife flowers and says ‘Happy 37 years and 6 months!’ (or whatever). how sweet is that!

 

[grandfather]

I could tell you about how much I love my wife after 34 years, but instead I’ll mention my parents who are happy together after 67.

 

[babesinarms]

I could tell you about how much I love my wife after 34 years, but instead I’ll mention my parents who are happy together after 67.

After your last description in another post, grandfather, I don’t think anything else need to be said!!! It was very touching!

 

[Donna_Mc]

My parents celebrated their 50th in August. They have a great marriage and inspired me. I am happily married and we will celebrate our 20th next May. I have two sisters who are married and they both celebrated their 20th this year!

 

[Belgarion]

I’ll tell you a happy story.

My parents married in 1960, and had 4 children. They were young and poor in the early years, but my mom stayed home with us and my dad worked very hard to give us a good life. All through my childhood, there was one thing I knew with great certainty - my parents were in love! When dad came home form work, he would swoop into the kitchen and my parents would embrace and smooch, right there for us kids to see. As a young girl, I loved when they went out at night. I loved to watch my mother put on her makeup and dress up, and watch dad polsih his shoes and press his slacks. They were a smart looking couple! I can still smell mom’s perfume! On Saturdays, they would dress nice and go downtown to shop. Dad has a flair for clothes, and know my mothers’ styles, sizes, and preferences. Thet would go for lunch and shop all day Saturday. My dad’s friends would often ask him to spend a Saturday at a football game, or at the track, or playing poker, or whatever. Dad would say “I’d rather be with my wife”.

As a teen, my friends loved to come to our house, and could bet on one thing on a Friday or Saturday night - there would be my mom and dad, snuggled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching a movie.

My mom and dad celebrated their 48th anniversary last month. They are still madly in love, still tickled to be with each other.

There is your happy marrige story for the day!!

God Bless, I’m off to mass!

That actually made me cry

 

[happymommy]

I started dating my beloved during my senior year of high school. We got engaged after dating for just two months. People thought we were crazy! We were married a year and half later, I was 19! That was 13 years ago and I love him more with each passing day!
My parents were married 36 years before my mother passed away.
My husband’s parents have been happily married for 36 years. His one set of Grandparents has been married for 63 years and the other for 58.
See, there are happy marriages out there. I think it’s about total love and respect. If you have those for each other, then you don’t doubt in your love!

 

[Just_wondering]

Thanks for all the happy stories. People always reach out for help when they’re unhappy, so we tend to hear the negatives a lot. I really appreciate the lovey-dovey stuff.

 

[pumpkinbeast]

My parents have been married for a little over 20-odd years now. My dad is completely and totally devoted to my mom, and will do anything to make her happy. He’s not an outwardly gushy-lovely-dovey kind of guy either, so his love isn’t expressed so much in words as it is in actions. And every time he asks me or my sister to do anything around the house, his reason for asking is so that mom doesn’t do it.

I hope me and my fiance will be a happy marriage story someday; I’ll update you in a few years.

 

[grandfather]

After your last description in another post, grandfather, I don’t think anything else need to be said!!! It was very touching!

If anyone thinks that being happily married has anything to do with the traditional trappings of American romance and that is important this is a mistake. The candlelight and roses is Hollywood fantasy. That has nothing to do with love and there could be flowers and candlelight dinners all the time and a marriage might be devoid of real love.

Love is about being kind every day, and considerate, and respectful. It is about honoring your spouse and giving yourself in sacrifice. It is about living for the other. It is about family, children and grandchildren and keeping life stable and full of security and love for family. It is about obeying God and allowing His will to be done in our lives.

Men and women will never understand one another. God has made us mysteries to one another, but He has also enabled us to love one another and in marriage that is sacramental.

 

[whatevergirl]

My husband and I are approaching our 18th wedding anniversary. We are each other’s best friends…and supporters through everything. Our picture wasn’t always rosy…we were separated for a time several years ago, but in that separation, we grew closer to God, and realized that we were not including Him in our marriage, on every turn. So, now, we realize that marriage is between three…a husband, wife and God. I think that if one wishes to have a happy, forever-type marriage…getting this early on will prevent much heartache, and strife within the relationship.

I think that being happily married is really about being sacrificially married. If both people are working for the betterment of the marriage…for the edification of the other…for the servanthood of God…then one’s marriage will most certainly be a happy one.

 

[grandfather]

I think that being happily married is really about being sacrificially married. If both people are working for the betterment of the marriage…for the edification of the other…for the servanthood of God…then one’s marriage will most certainly be a happy one.

Somebody carve that in stone. That is the summary of the total recipe in a sentence.

My parents adore one another. He is 93. She is 90 in December.

Everyone makes a big deal about weddings and gowns and flowers and the perfect day. It means nothing. My parents were married in a rectory when my father came home on leave for a week from WWII. My mother had two weeks to plan her wedding. My dad got notice he would have leave and let her know he would be there. She got married in a blue dress with a tiny bouquet. Flowers were scarce in December. He wore the same uniform he travelled in. There was no reception, no music, no dinner, no bridesmaids or groomsmen, just two witnesses. The weather was atrocious. Their honeymoon was a couple of days in a hotel and he went back to the Navy. Marriage is about learning the joy of sacrifice.

 

[whatevergirl]

Somebody carve that in stone. That is the summary of the total recipe in a sentence.

My parents adore one another. He is 93. She is 90 in December.

Everyone makes a big deal about weddings and gowns and flowers and the perfect day. It means nothing. My parents were married in a rectory when my father came home on leave for a week from WWII. My mother had two weeks to plan her wedding. My dad got notice he would have leave and let her know he would be there. She got married in a blue dress with a tiny bouquet. Flowers were scarce in December. He wore the same uniform he travelled in. There was no reception, no music, no dinner, no bridesmaids or groomsmen, just two witnesses. The weather was atrocious. Their honeymoon was a couple of days in a hotel and he went back to the Navy. Marriage is about learning the joy of sacrifice.

That’s a beautiful story.

Yes, it took me a while to grasp the concept, but there is great great GREAT joy in sacrificing.

 

[Lucania]

DH & I just celebrated our 33rd Wedding Anniversary in October. I was 20 & he was 21. We have been together 36 years, we were high school sweethearts. We really are best friends & do most things together. My DH has 2 forms of severe Arthritis. He gets up every day & goes to work for me, even though he is in pain most of the time. He rarely complains. DH is always putting the needs of me & our DD before his own. He is generous, considerate & a loving husband & father. He has a heart the size of Texas. He loves to grocery shop & does that every week (he knows what stores have what specials ). I do the Wal-Mart shopping for paper goods, personal stuff, etc. He is always helping out, like the other day DD & I went to the Mall. When I came home he had folded the pile of towels I left on the chair & washed the breakfast dishes . When I saw that he folded the towels, he said, “I know I didn’t fold them right!” I said, “No, they’re fine, thank you!” Why criticize when he was helping out, right?! Once a year we getaway for a week together & have a wonderful time. This year DD & her husband are going with us. We also go on a date about once a month. To sum it up, he is my rock & my hero. I never want to be without him.

 

[bluerose]

DH and I just celebrated 20 years back in July… when we got engaged, he was undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s disease (when he was diagnosed, he had a 20% chance of making remission) and a lot of people thought we were crazy and told us we should wait and see. Well, if we’d waited, we would have only celebrated 15 or 10 years together… or none at all. And we would have missed our chance to adopt our wonderful son (who will be 15 in March) who has brightened our lives and shown us how God gives the best to those who leave the choice up to him.

For obvious reasons, we don’t take each other for granted. Every day we have is a gift, no matter how lousy a day it is. Like this morning–my day off from having to get up in the middle of the night to go to work–DH calls me at 5:30 because his truck’s battery died 15 miles out of town, so I had to run down in my van to pick him up, drive him into town, wait for the Wal*Mart TLE to open at 7 to get a battery (luckily the old one was under warranty), drive him BACK to where his truck was and then have him call an hour later to say that the alternator was shot and would have to be replaced, to the tune of $300.

However, we did have a couple of hours of the day to spend together that we normally wouldn’t have had, and when I think of my widowed mother-in-law wishing for one more day with dad (they were married 53 years), well, you can’t help but be thankful.

 

[Podo2005]

I’ll tell you a happy story.

My parents married in 1960, and had 4 children. They were young and poor in the early years, but my mom stayed home with us and my dad worked very hard to give us a good life. All through my childhood, there was one thing I knew with great certainty - my parents were in love! When dad came home form work, he would swoop into the kitchen and my parents would embrace and smooch, right there for us kids to see. As a young girl, I loved when they went out at night. I loved to watch my mother put on her makeup and dress up, and watch dad polsih his shoes and press his slacks. They were a smart looking couple! I can still smell mom’s perfume! On Saturdays, they would dress nice and go downtown to shop. Dad has a flair for clothes, and know my mothers’ styles, sizes, and preferences. Thet would go for lunch and shop all day Saturday. My dad’s friends would often ask him to spend a Saturday at a football game, or at the track, or playing poker, or whatever. Dad would say “I’d rather be with my wife”.

As a teen, my friends loved to come to our house, and could bet on one thing on a Friday or Saturday night - there would be my mom and dad, snuggled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching a movie.

My mom and dad celebrated their 48th anniversary last month. They are still madly in love, still tickled to be with each other.

There is your happy marrige story for the day!!

God Bless, I’m off to mass!

Wow! That is a happy story, Thanks for sharing that with us

 

[Desert_Dancer]

What a wonderful thread – wonderful to read, and I’ve been wanting to tell someone this story all week !

My husband’s aunt died last week. In her will, she specifically requested that she be cremated, and her remains kept at a particular cemetary until her husband (who has had Alzheimer’s for over 20 years) dies, too. At that time, he will be cremated, and their ashes will be buried together.

She never considered a divorce, and if she had any bitterness about spending the last two decades of her life essentially single, she never let on. She was one of the most energetic, enthusiastic people I’ve ever known, and I always admired how she was faithful to her marriage no matter what.