Things I've Learned From My Parents During Their First 50 Years of Marriage

Be yourself. Create shared hobbies. Collect stories. Reminisce. Have faith. Cherish family. If you can, have two sinks, two cars and a big bed. 

It's OK to disagree in front of the kids, but don't fight. Love takes many forms—sometimes it's a clean dish or a fresh cup of coffee. You can love someone and still want to throw them in a vat of boiling oil (Dad just learned Mom said that). 

Have your own friends. Have couple friends. Eat dinner together with the TV off (unless it's a really close game or a really good Star Trek). Accept—don't just tolerate—what you cannot change. 

Being bored together is an art. Predictability is helpful; variety is essential. Surprise each other. Remember that you, too, can be annoying to live with. Stay interesting...and interested. 

The argument's not over until the laughter returns. Never let the laughter stop. Perfect never arrives. Yes, you snore.  

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