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african american MARRIAGE

26 Years, 26 Lessons. Mr. & Mrs. Brown

Marriage = COMPROMISE – Doesn’t matter what the topic you have to compromise on many issues within a marriage. From what’s for dinner to where we’ll live you both have to come to a conclusion that makes everyone happy.

Hey ya’ll,

Today marks our 26th wedding anniversary. The day we vowed our lives to one another! I wouldn’t change a day of the last 26 years. We have grown into amazing people, fantastic parents and even better friends. Wishing my bestie a very happy anniversary. Here’s to 26+ more!

  1. Keep God first!
  2. Never say never – I said I never wanted children and then I was bit by the baby bug and here we stand the proud parents of three
  3. Over communicate – Saying you told him/her about the party two weeks ago means nothing. Put it on the family calendar, create an event on Google and FaceBook, send a text, tweet or put a post it note on the fridge listing how many days are left until the event.
  4. Pick your battles – If it’s not life-threatening let it go. Do you want the kids clean and fed or is it more important that the bed is spread?
  5. It takes 2 to tango – Intimacy isn’t the responsibility of only one person. If you are in the mood get the party started!
  6. Blood IS thicker than water – Although you are happily married into the family, remember where you stand. Don’t talk about the man’s mama and expect life to be easy, sometimes it’s better to agree to disagree and keep it moving than it is to argue about things you can’t change when their family is involved.
  7. Marriage = COMPROMISE – Doesn’t matter what the topic you have to compromise on many issues within a marriage. From what’s for dinner to where we’ll live you both have to come to a conclusion that makes everyone happy.
  8. You can’t always be right – “Yes Dear” is a line my brother and sister-in-law use often. Sometimes you have to say yes dear and move on. You will not be right all the time (I am, 99.9% of the time of course!)
  9. Time outs are needed – Sometimes from one another and from the kids. Remember that visiting family does not a vacation make!
  10. Teamwork – As the Wonder Pets say; What’s Gonna Work? Team Work. When you say I Do you become partners for better or worse so work together
  11. Never let them see you sweat – I’m not talking about your spouse but your extended family and friends. Nobody should know when you and your spouse are at odds with one another! Keep your issues to yourself or seek professional counseling if you are in need of help. Hearing “well if I were you” doesn’t help anyone because they AREN’T you!
  12. What it took to get him/her is the same thing that will help you keep him/her – enough said!
  13. No marriage is perfect
  14. Don’t assume
  15. If you have an issue speak about it, don’t let it fester
  16. Be friends and lovers (then you can act like friends with benefits when you role play)
  17. Remember why you said “I Do” in the first place.
  18. In sickness and health is real. Don’t say it if you don’t really mean it!
  19. The kids get older, so make sure you have a relationship outside of the children! Talk about more than homework, housework, and parenting. When they leave make sure your house is still a home and a place that you always want to return.
  20. Laugh together and at each other! Don’t take everything so seriously.
  21. Water your own lawn! The saying is the grass is always greener on the other side. Well, that’s because people on the other side are watering their law! In this case it’s your marriage. Invest time in your marriage and it will grow and be well nourished.  
  22. Know your love language and theirs. It’s important https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/
  23. We all change. Be ok with it and accept one another at every turn. 21 yr old Mrs. Deveter isn’t the same as 40something year old Mrs. Deveter
  24. Grow old together gracefully.
  25. Have fun. Marriage should be a life sentence inclusive of adventures at every turn. Your spouse should be your favorite travel partner.
  26. In sickness and in health doesn’t only mean you and your spouse. When you say those vows they include your parents and children. Maintaining a happy home while being caregivers for loved ones is a hard task. But you vowed to do so. Do it with humility, empathy and grace.

One reply on “26 Years, 26 Lessons. Mr. & Mrs. Brown”

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