First one only made it just short of 5 years and was ALOT of work like you hear people talk about. We even split up once before we got married.

This fall will be 25 years with my second wife, and there was never any point where we had to work at it. Not once..

My thought is, if ya have to work at it, it isn't ment to be and you both are living at less than a happy level.

BowHunter is right on target...

Read the book on love languages and have her read it.

Treat her as some one precious & special.

Hold her chair when she is seated and when she gets up. Open all doors for her. Have the agreement if you get out and go into the house with out opening the car door for her, she can honk the horn after 10 minutes. One honk will cure you from forgetting.

Look at her when she is speaking especially in a group setting. She should respond the same way as this shows respect and honor.

Always value her wisdom and advise. You are the one that makes the final decision but foolish is the man that does not heed wise council from his spouse.

Pick up after yourself, help with the house work if needed, cook breakfast on weekends, when you come home sit and listen to what she has to say and have a summary prepared of your day to share with her. Don't hit the recliner, flip on the funny box or pick up the paper.

Use every experience as a teaching opportunity with your kids, teach them correct table manners use yours also. Wives like polished husbands that don't embarrass them.

Become the spiritual leader if you are not already.

Enuff.....

TrapperKent

^^^"Wild at Heart" is a great book!^^^

Like Eric says, harmony is a big part of it. Harmony is an elusive thing. It is beyond my ability to explain it. But with it you're like two of the Blue Angles flying in formation. Without it, like mosquitoes around a porch light.

Two things I always keep in mind:

1) Our marriage is a Covenant made between each other and God. If you can't keep your word in that, your word and honor ain't worth much.

2) She's the one God picked out for me; no doubt, ever.

Great stuff here guys.
Total homerun BowHunter!!!

Bowhunter is right on the money.

My wife and I will be celebrating 20 years this fall. I remember the gentleman that married us said that marriage is like a wedding band, a continuous circle. We both believe in God and put him first in our life. We discuss every thing no matter how small the issue may be. I know I would not be the person I am physically, mentally or spiritually with out her.

If you both put God first in your marriage it can not fail.

Blessings
B

Every marriage should have a foundation. By being married to each other instead of others, wifey and I are preventing those others from enduring marital misery. We are committed to their happiness. 30 years married.

Always and I mean always be the one to apologize whether it's your fault or not .

When going gets tough some get going. Some stay. I had two failures. Current marriage just over 33 years and counting. Quote Lynn Anderson, "I never promised you a rose garden."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-eclUz-RYI

I to married my high school sweetheart. We got married at 23 and have been together for 36 years and married for 31. No secret recipe for us other than communicate and always be there for each other. She is my best friend and we do everything together. She is more outgoing and I am more quiet and reserved. We compliment each other.

....keep the woman in its natural habitat (kitchens, washrooms, in the vicinity of a sewing machine....etc...)

...stay out in the woods, on the water and in honkytonks as much as possible, as this will limit your interaction thus reducing the opportunity for conflict and such.... impregnate it several times as a litter will make it feel undesirable to other males in the county and cause its loyalty to you to grow stronger

....that’s the basics, feel free to pm me for a more advanced course in making a marriage last

I was waiting for this. Lol

Mike

....and that’s another deep East Texas tip of the week...

....tune in next time for an installment of “ how to get kids to shut up, dogs to stop barking, and Mexicans to speak English “

I don’t care who you are...that’s funny right there...

She was 16, I was 18, now 61

Every pot has a lid find yours~

Twenty five years in. I think we're still married because everyone said it wouldn't work and we're too stubborn to let them be right.

Thirty-seven years with the same women. We might get married one day but I doubt it.

42 years of "yes dear" here. Mutual respect.