Tag Archives: lasting marriages

Positive About Marriage

Since the last few articles have been about negatives and divorce statistics, I thought it was time we had a couple of positive stories of marriages that have stood the test of time. The first is a couple who recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. If 64 sounds like an odd number of married years to celebrate it could be because Bruce and Isabel are 88 and 84 respectively and maybe they figure one you get to that age you never know how long you’ll be round so you may as well as celebrate each milestone along the way. It … Continue reading →

Love That Lasts

Sometimes you just see love in the faces and actions of other married couples. Yesterday was such a day for me. Our choir went to sing for the elderly residents in a local nursing home. I looked out a saw one couple. She was nestled close to him and they were holding hands as they listened to us sing. As we sang The Anniversary Waltz she started to quietly sing along, all the time looking at her husband. You got the feeling it didn’t matter a bit that she was old and wrinkled and that he was old and wrinkled. … Continue reading →

Marriages That Stand the Test of Time

Given the emphasis on divorce recently on the marriage blog, I thought I’d share a few examples of marriages that have stood the test of time. Our local paper this week had an item about Marjorie and Frank Thompson, who this week celebrated 64 years of marriage. The pair met initially at their church’s youth group where romance blossomed. Although they lived for years in Berry, they now reside at Osborne house. Osborne House is a hostel and nursing home that our choir attends regular attends. After 64 years Marjoie and Frank can still say they ‘are very happy,’ which … Continue reading →

Marriage in a Disposable Society?

Are we susceptible to the disposable society syndrome? Last week we went to look at the price of a new printer. The printer we were looking at was $99AU. The printer cartridge to go in it was $219AU! ‘That’s ludicrous,’ I said. ‘It’d be cheaper just to keep buying a new printer.’ Mick agreed, it’s a crazy system. It made me think we have become a disposable society. Sadly that attitude carries over into our marriages as well. It sometimes seems when couples strike a rough patch and things aren’t going well or the gloss has gone off the marriage … Continue reading →

Marriages Need to Grow

Those who have been through marriage preparation classes could perhaps be better prepared for the reality of marriage. They’re a good idea but they still don’t have all the answers. Basically we can discuss issues before we are married. Mick and I did. We talked about children, money, other family members, religion and anything else that came to mind and that’s great. But sometimes those held views change over time and we need to rethink. That’s when we need to make sure the lines of communication stay open. Good, lasting marriages don’t just happen. Like gardens they need time to … Continue reading →

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward: A Lesson in Long Marriages Hollywood-Style

I didn’t think I was going to have anything to write about Paul Newman’s death here in the Marriage Blog. I figured that’d be something for the girls who cover the Popular Culture Blog to write about. But as I’ve come across all the different tributes to his life, something’s become glaringly clear: Paul Newman was more than an actor, a race car driver, a camp founder, an activist, and a food line entrepreneur. He was a loving, devoted husband, something he seemed to be just as proud of as he was of any of his other accomplishments. Maybe even … Continue reading →

The Older Couples on the Path

I’ve learned a lot on my quest so far this year to understand what it takes to have a long and successful marriage. I’ve learned secrets from Families.com readers and non-Families.com sources of inspiration alike. But one thing I failed to consider was something else. Something that struck me the other day as I was walking Murph on his favorite park path: your marriage can’t last if you don’t. Yes, I’m talking about keeping yourself healthy. Seems so obvious, but it wasn’t until I saw the older couples on the path that it clicked. I’m talking 65 and up. They … Continue reading →

My True Feelings About Trading Places

Lately I’ve been reading a lot of books with a similar theme: the Law of Attraction. I have to say I believe there’s something to it. For instance, I set out on a mission this year with the intention of making the most of marriage. Several months later I get an email inviting me to participate in a book blog tour. I was game, so I accepted. Two days later Trading Places: The Best Move You’ll Ever Make in Your Marriage arrives in my mailbox. That book provided a wealth of information and answered many questions I’ve had. Namely, what’s … Continue reading →

What Love Is: Learning Long Marriage Secrets from Families.com Members

Earlier this year I committed myself to making the best of Marriage in ‘08. I planned to do that by accentuating the positive and examining tools of the trade others used in their marriages. Especially long lasting marriages. I’m still on that mission, but I’ve already learned a lot. And a lot of it has been gleaned right here from other Families.com members. A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That The very first thing I realized was actually the last of the four rules I wrote earlier this year: One Size Doesn’t Fit All. This is … Continue reading →

Married to a Ghost Hunter: My Interview with Mrs. Hawes – The Questions

In Making Marriages Last: What’s It Going to Take? My Interview with Mrs. Hawes I explained about my idea to accentuate the positive by showing examples of long-term committed relationships that are working. One marriage veteran, as I’m calling people in such relationships, who agreed to answer some questions was Mrs. Hawes, wife of Jason Hawes, one of the founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) and one of the stars of Ghost Hunters. Requesting the Interview Mrs. Hawes is about as modest as they come. When I asked if she’d be game to be interviewed for Families.com’s Marriage Blog, … Continue reading →