An unknown author wrote: 'The question is asked Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young couple clasping hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?
And the answer is given. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing, It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their jounrey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped; their faces are seamed, but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion for one another. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love.'
Celebrating 10 Years Together
My husband and I just celebrated a decade together and I have to say - I felt and feel a deep personal sense of pride at our accomplishment. We talked about the possibilities of how we would honor our 20th, our 30th and eventually our 40th years together.
We got married at Disney World, so it's our goal (okay, my goal, but he does like the idea) of visiting every major Disney outfit around the world by our 30th anniversary. Sounds hokey, but I like the idea of combining world travel with the person I'd most like to share it with.
Successful Marriages are Inspiring
Defining a successful marriage is completely subjective. We like the idea of seeing marriages that have negotiated the landmines of living, working and surviving together through ups and downs, raising children and sending them off to college and even seeing them married. We take heart at seeing that it can be done.
Because let's be honest - too often we get hung up on how relationships fail. When a celebrity marriage or relationship ends -- it becomes fodder for a dozen news stories and for people who bow and shake their heads at the tragedy of it all. But it's the marriages that make it through the financial pinches, the career changes, having a baby and seeing their 20th anniversary that should be celebrated, pointed to and admired.
We should all aspire to such heights as achieved by those couples who have discovered the successful formula to a long-term relationship. As for those couples that have mastered the secret of the long-term marriage? How do they do it?
They take it one day at a time, one holiday at a time and one major event at a time. Have you been married for one decade? Two decades? Three decades? More? I'd love to hear from you! What is the secret to your success?
