Tuesday, February 21, 2012

After 30 Years, Love Gets Easier


No one is easy to live with. I don't care how many years you date someone, you never really know them until you share a toilet and sink, eat thousands of meals together, and hide their holey underwear in a graham cracker box and stuff it in the bottom of the trash barrel because they refuse to throw it away.

Oh, Goody. I'm Not the Only One

So when my husband said, "Marriage is hard," I sighed in relief.  I thought I was the only one who was challenged by the annoyance of the hour, with new ones invented every year. It's great to know I'm not alone.

It Gets Easier

Last week we celebrated our 37th anniversary (I was three when Kevin proposed). It gets easier after about 30 years. Nowadays we argue less, understand more, and forgive quicker. I think we may have figured out this whole, "love your neighbor as yourself" thing. Either that, or we're tired.

What about you? What ways have you discovered that make living with another person easier?

13 comments:

  1. I love this post, very refreshing. My husband and I will celebrate 27 years of marriage in April. Always being quick to forgive one another, loving unconditionally, and still having fun, fun, fun.

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  2. We will celebrate our 44th this year ! ! Not without challenges ... Just like anyone else!!
    Marilyn

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  3. I appreciate this, Jeanette! Marriage is hard, but wonderful too. I read a post over at Family Fountain recently where Warren Baldwin said marriage is a work in progress because as individuals we are always growing and learning. (My paraphrase:)

    Congratulations on your anniversary! I, like you, was a child bride; we celebrated our 31st last fall.

    Have a great week!

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  4. It does get easier.

    Happy Anniversary!

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  5. Oh my word, the underwear comment cracked me up. And thanks for these encouraging words, Jeanette. As someone surviving the young-kids phase of marriage, I needed to hear this. :)

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  6. ROFL! Holey underwear and T-shirts with "air-conditioning" and socks left on the floor and so on and so forth used to be a source of such drama in my life! Married 22 years in April, we seem to be merging into a more balanced unit. Now he gets irritated when the trash is overflowing and buys his own new underwear!

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  7. Great post, Jeanette! And so true. Oh, goodness. We thought it would be hearts, flowers, and twittering birds forever, didn't we? Then it turned out there were burritos in that picture. And socks! And...and...101 other things you hadn't expected. :)

    But it helps our marriage when we can laugh together. Which we do. A lot.

    Hey. At least our husbands aren't bored! :)

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  8. It is so good to remember that marriage can be hard and scary. We have made it to almost 35 and I agree ... it does get easier. (and we are tired.) :-)

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  9. Definitely gets easier. :) Now that I'm writing, I don't put hardly any demands on my husbands time to do that "honey do" list...maybe that's why he's so supportive. LOL I've found if you don't sweat the small stuff and show your appreciation for the small stuff...it goes a long way to harmony. And realistic expectations keep you content.

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  10. Hey, we'll celebrate our 36th this year! Yes, easier in that each has given a bit more and you know what to expect and it doesn't bother you as much.:P

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  11. Honestly, every mornin' I wake up and decide, I'm gonna love this man today.

    Then I ask, "what can I do to make his life better." I have done this every mornin' for 39 years.

    I also have found that double sinks and separate closets add to a happy marriage. Heeheehehhe!!!

    Work...ya betcha!!!

    God bless ya sweetie and have an amazin' day!!! :o)

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  12. double sinks.
    congrats to you...and many more anniversaries!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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  13. Tried to post a comment but the technology wouldn't let me. Here's a recap.
    We passed 43 years last November.
    I find this phase of our life to be more relaxed and things seem easier to handle.
    I am now able to appreciate his very dry sense of humor.

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