September 6th
Today is not just Wedding Wednesday, it has always been a very special day for me.ย Not only is it my birthday, but it is also my parents’ wedding anniversary!ย I always like to joke that I was the greatest anniversary gift they’ve ever received ๐
This particular year is a little bit more special, however.ย I’m turning 27, and while that is not much of a milestone, my parents are celebrating THIRTY YEARS of wedded bliss!!!ย I couldn’t be more proud of how far they’ve come (even though I haven’t been around for all of it!) in their marriage and the role models they have turned out to be for me and my brother.
Their strong marriage is one of the reasons I became a wedding photographer in the first place, and why I continue to look forward to the day when I can celebrate my own marriage! I have learned many lessons from them, and so, I’ve decided to share some of them with you today.ย Since I haven’t been around their entire marriage, here’s just 27 Things I’ve Learned in 30 Years of (my parents’) Marriage.
- Don’t take life too seriously.ย My parents have always been two of the goofiest people I’ve known, and their senses of humor fit each other so perfectly.
- Struggles in marriage are inevitable. Life is never an easy ride for anyone, so pick the person you’d like to have by your side to ride out the storm.
- Arguments will happen. Bad days will happen. Make sure you have enough good days and happy times to balance them out.
- Always show gratitude, even for the smallest of gestures.
- Have a healthy balance between your own interests/hobbies and your shared interests is important.
- Taking time to yourself (for my mom, that’s crafting & shopping, for my dad, video games) helps give you the alone time you need to unwind.
- But balancing that time with doing things you enjoy together is equally valuable!
- Get out of the house. Take a walk, go on a road trip, have a picnic, cheer at your kid’s soccer game. This is where some of my favorite family memories are made.
- Nobody is perfect, and neither of you should expect perfection from the other.
- Forgiveness is key.
- Communicate. Talking to each other is so important to a healthy relationship.
- Never be too proud to admit when you’re wrong. Even though both of my parents will each say they’re never wrong! ๐
- Don’t give up. Work on your problems.
- Respect each other. Try not to speak ill of each other.
- Spending time and creating memories together are more important than gifts.
- Celebrate, encourage, and lift each other up.
- Pick your battles!
- The little nuances that your spouse does will only bother you more as time goes on! ๐
- Make decisions together, as a team.
- Try to keep financial stress & debt at a minimum.
- He who gets home from work first must make dinner.
- ย What’s mine is mine, what’s your is mine. ย ๐
- Share the workload with chores, kids, and pets.
- In the hard times, always find a reason to laugh and smile.
- Always be honest with each other.
- Don’t let anyone talk you into the wedding they want for you – its YOUR big day!
- Always keep ice cream within reach. (That’s just general life advice ๐ ย )
Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad! Here’s to many more years!
Love, Mandi
