Happy July 12th!
It’s our wedding anniversary today! Three years! Wahoo! We’ve made it longer than most celebrity couples!
Back around the holidays, I stumbled upon a nice article in Real Simple about secrets to a happy marriage. In it, Real Simple readers share the little things that keep their marriages strong, many of which made me smile and really resonated with me. In fact, I even cut out a couple of them to hang on the bulletin board in my office. Here are my favorite secrets to a happy marriage:
Rules of the Game
Knowing the grass isn’t greener on the other side. My husband and I married a bit later than the average couple, and by then we had both had plenty of time to “sow our oats.” We truly love one another and never wonder “what if,” mainly because we’ve been there and done that. We know we want to be together, without question.
My father asked me this same question when I was in college. Full of know-it-all, psychology-major cockiness, I answered, “Love and trust.” “Wrong,” he said. Stumped, I followed up with “Communication.” Wrong again. His answer: sex and money. If a couple can’t get those two things right, then they’re not going to be happy. After eight years of marriage, my husband still chases me around the house, and courting expenses are built into the budget.
The Fun House
My husband and I have a strict rule: Never argue with your clothes on. If we are out and about to fight, we know that we have to wait until we’re home and undressed. By then we’ve usually forgotten what the trouble was about.
Something to Talk About
National Public Radio! My husband and I spend a lot of time during the week driving in separate cars. We both listen to NPR. At the end of the day, when we are done talking about work, one of us will say, “Did you hear the piece about”¦?” It’s nice to have so much to discuss.
The key to a happy marriage is speaking the same language. My husband and I both speak sarcasm fluently.
In Brief
Kissing every day, even when you don’t feel like it.
I once asked an elderly neighbor this very same question. He and his wife had been married more than 50 years. He replied, “Oh, my dear, it’s really very simple. My wife and I agreed long ago that I’d make all the big decisions and she’d make all the little decisions. And in all these years together, there just haven’t been any big decisions.”
Breakfast
Mmm”¦ really good oatmeal pancake this morning! I actually licked my plate clean. I added ground flaxseed meal to the mix and then topped my pancake with a thick layer of almond butter and maple syrup. Love.
So, I finally figured out how to cook perfect oatmeal pancakes. I used to burn them all of the time, but I finally nailed down my technique. Here’s what you do: mix up the batter, turn the heat on your fry pan to medium (not high!), coat it with nonstick cooking spray, and then wait three or four minutes for it to heat up. Then, pour the batter in the pan, spread evenly with a spoon, and then wait for the pancake to fluff-up before you flip it. It swear, it works like a charm.
Ok, so maybe you guys already know how to cook. I guess I’m just not patient when it comes to cooking. Usually, I burn my oatmeal pancake and make a mess in my kitchen because I fly through each step. I’m just glad that I finally figured it out!
BIC Bands
Remember when I blogged about BIC Bands last month? BIC Bands are fun headbands that stay in place and help others at the same time. (A portion of the proceeds go to organizations like Team In Training and Back on My Feet). Today, I’ve teamed up with BIC Bands and OpenSky to offer a sweet 3-pack bundle!
It’s been so hot and humid lately, I’ve been rocking BIC Bands day and night. They’re super cute for everyday wear and stay put on my runs”” even better than Bondi Bands! They really don’t slip at all. Maybe I just have a small head?
Question of the Day
What are your secrets to a happy marriage/relationship?
P.S. I’m hosting a baseball-inspired giveaway on Trading Up Downtown!