Happy Anniversary to Us!

By:  Donna Martin

On June 2 we celebrated our 45^th wedding anniversary.  That sounds like a long time, but really it has been like a fleeting moment.  When we began our marriage we were young, and in love, and excited about the adventure before us. We were also clueless about what married life had to offer.  One advantage that we had was that our family backgrounds were similar.  We both grew up in Christian homes with both parents present and engaged in our lives.  We were both from similar financial backgrounds.  We shared the same values.  Because of this we had similar perspectives on marriage.  However, on June 2, 1972, we could have never envisioned all of the adventures, joys, sorrows, disappointments, surprises, setbacks, conflicts, celebrations, accomplishments, illnesses, laughter, tears and unexpected events that were before us. 

A lot has changed in our lives over the past 45 years, but one thing has never changed - an enduring love for each other and a commitment to stand together no matter what.  And that, my friends, is the secret to our 45 years together.  It hasn’t always been easy, it hasn’t always been happy.  We have disappointed each other, and there have been a few times when we didn’t really like each other very much.  But from the beginning, we were committed to each other and to our marriage.  We wanted our marriage to be successful not only because of our love for each other, but also because of our love for God.  God’s love has been the cornerstone of our marriage.

From the perspective of a young man who was 23 and a young woman who was 21, forty-five years seemed like a long time.  From the perspective of a mature 66 and 68 year old, forty-five years is like the blink of an eye.  Life happens quickly, so don’t waste your marriage arguing over things that are insignificant or chasing fantasies that don’t exist.  Live each day to its fullest.  Try to live each day without regrets.  Live unselfishly.  Speak words of encouragement instead of criticism.  Love the way that your spouse needs you to love.  Look for the good in your spouse.  Be thankful for each other.  Be faithful to each other.  End each day by praying together for each other.

The Martins are available to present “Happy Together” Marriage Enrichment Events for churches and organizations.  To schedule an event call Michael at 940-735-1515. They are certified “Prepare/Enrich” Facilitators and are available to work with couples on an individual basis using the “Prepare/Enrich Assessment.”  They publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues.  You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read, and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriages.com.