Art of Marriage

I just love this about marriage:

It rings close to my heart since I just celebrated my anniversary. Thought other to be wed or anyone in love would enjoy.

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In the art of marriage the little things are the big things...

It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude
of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best. - by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Secrets to a Good Marriage

I saw this article from Real Simple - readers speak out.

What Is the Secret of a Good Marriage?

Come as You Are

Marry someone you love exactly as they are, and be sure they feel the same. That way, you'll never expect more of each other than you are each happy to give. I didn't realize this until my second marriage. Another secret? Don't get married until you're sure of who you are.
Lisa Noll
Martinsburg, West Virginia

The Fun House

Tickle fights! Several times a week, my husband and I engage in a spontaneous tickle-battle royale. I almost always lose, but writhing in giggles is a great way to end the evening.
Karla Perrin
London, Ohio

My husband and I have a strict rule: Never argue with your clothes on. If we are out and about to fight, we know that we have to wait until we're home and undressed. By then we've usually forgotten what the trouble was about.
Amy Hadsall
Cameron, North Carolina


Friday-night dates. We might eat at a nice restaurant, go bowling, or just sit at home with a freshly purchased gallon of ice cream and (to my husband's dismay) the latest chick flick.
Anjanette Paul
Las Vegas, Nevada

Rules of the Game

My husband and I always make sure that the bedroom is our private place. Not just for physical intimacy, but for having a space to talk and be together.
Carol Czerniawski
Palatine, Illinois

Knowing the grass isn't greener on the other side. My husband and I married a bit later than the average couple, and by then we had both had plenty of time to "sow our oats." We truly love one another and never wonder "what if," mainly because we've been there and done that. We know we want to be together, without question.
Amy Dodson
Richmond, Virginia

My father asked me this same question when I was in college. Full of know-it-all, psychology-major cockiness, I answered, "Love and trust." "Wrong," he said. Stumped, I followed up with "Communication." Wrong again. His answer: sex and money. If a couple can't get those two things right, then they're not going to be happy. After eight years of marriage, my husband still chases me around the house, and courting expenses are built into the budget.
Joneis Thomas
Colonial Beach, Virginia

Something to Talk About

The key to a happy marriage is speaking the same language. My husband and I both speak sarcasm fluently.
Stacey Lerner
Beverly Hills, Michigan

My husband and I live an hour and a half away from our parents. Those long drives give us time to vent about our families, talk about our pasts, and reaffirm our bond. The kids sleep, and we connect―he talks to me more in the car in that small amount of time than in a whole month at home.
Mickie Stiers
Columbus, Ohio

My husband of 35 years and I agree that every couple should go out of town yearly, without the children, and follow this not-so-simple rule: "You cannot discuss the kids or your jobs." It is amazing how much you can find to talk about.
Franki Chabalewski
Richmond, Virginia

In Brief

Kissing every day, even when you don't feel like it.
Su-Ren Leong
Kalamazoo, Michigan

I once asked an elderly neighbor this very same question. He and his wife had been married more than 50 years. He replied, "Oh, my dear, it's really very simple. My wife and I agreed long ago that I'd make all the big decisions and she'd make all the little decisions. And in all these years together, there just haven't been any big decisions."
Cecilia Saad
Washington, D.C.

Separate bathrooms.
Nikki Marks
Bedminster, New Jersey

I love the last two !!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today my husband and I celebrate our second year of marriage!

I am so lucky to be married to my best friend, cheerleader and love of my life. Thank you and here is to 48 more years! (we joke that we will only be married for 50)

Enjoy some pics from our wedding day!

NBC & Martha Stewart do it again!

Jessica and Cody are married!! A beautiful wedding on the plaza then they headed of to Tiffany and Co for their reception.

I just watched the coverage - what a beautiful ceremony - pinks and yellows. Then then reception set up; all the Tiffany inspired details- the long tables, the rose topiaries, the ghost chairs, champagne ice bar, the saltwater taffies at each place setting, the mini pancakes and other yummy breakfast foods. Wow!! Darcy really did an awesome job. Did you see the fabric flowers? I am sure her blog will have more pictures as the day goes on.

Click here to see more pictures and full coverage.
Today Throws a Martha Stewart Wedding

The Thank You Note

These days with email and text messages some people are forgetting the personal handwritten note. They aren't even sending birthday cards, just birthday texts. I wish people would get back to being a little more personal. I know lives are busy but the joy of getting a handwritten note or card speaks wonders.

Brides and grooms should especially have special note cards available during the wedding planning. They are going to have to send a lot of notes. 'Thank You' notes to the parents for the engagement party, for shower gifts, for all the wedding professionals for a job well done and of course a note to all the guests for attending the wedding and/or sending a gift.

If you are going to send a note before you are married its a good idea to have your name or personal monogram on the card.

If you are sending notes to your wedding professionals or guests after the wedding, use your new name, names or monogram.

Don't get the standard 'Thank You' written card because its nice to be a little more personal, show off your style and you can use them for all occasions.

Here are some of my favorite resources:
Cross My Heart - print your own name or monogram on cutsie cards
Checkerboard cards and invites for something a little more formal
Moo note cards and calling cards using your own pictures
For Your Party notecards and other personalized items

Another Happily Married Couple

Laurel and Tom were married on Saturday in a traditional Catholic ceremony. The exited the church through a Military Sabre Arch and jumped into a 1940's Bentley. They had an awesome reception at Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DC.

This event definitely reminded me that you certainly have to go with the flow and make things the best they can be. The fire alarm went off in the building; this meant bells and strobe lights going off all over the place. Luckily this happened later in the evening during dancing and we tried to pretend the strobe lights added to the dancing atmosphere. We hope the guests didn't mind too much!

Weatherford Photography was with the couple all day, going around town hitting all the hot spots for pictures. They were awesome to work with; as a husband and wife team they meshed well together. Can't wait to see the professional pictures.