My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary yesterday. That sure seems like a long long time. I came along about seven years later, which means I'm reeling in the years as well. They're planning to come over to visit next weekend – maybe I'll ask them what their secret is. I mean, having grown up in their house I have a few clues ...
My Parents' Secrets to a Long, Happy Marriage
• Having a comfy recliner in the living room when one of them (you have two guesses) lands either in the dog house or is dwelling in the World of Snore.
• Having at least two bathrooms in the house; usually sharing one, but having the other as a spare so that there isn't a resentment-causing line in emergencies.
• Having shared spaces (bedroom, living room, kitchen), but also having personal spaces (home office, garage, dining room) in the house.
• Happiness is buying each other's favorite kind of bread.
• Letting the other one choose what kind of car they'd like to drive.***
• Compromise, and picking battles only when necessary.
• Lots of "I love you's" exchanged throughout the years.
• Having such a wonderful son together, followed by the true test in the form of a daughter.
• Other things that I know are really important, but that I don't want to discuss in the context of my parents. Ewwww.
***Cars! We test-drove two cars on Saturday, both Hondas. The salesman looked at us strangely because they were interested in such divergent vehicles: the Honda Accord and the Honda Element. The last is, inarguably, an interesting-looking car. But to drive it is to love it. Though it seats only four people, it has the peripheral passenger space of a mini-van without being a mini-van. It is ultimately up to the Petite Filet – and we've got at least four other brands to check out – but I'm rooting for the butt-ugly box with the gobs of practicality and usable space built in. I also love the waterproof seats and rubberized interior. Plus, it's what the cool kids are driving.
Very cute. You are such a youngster! My folks will celebrate their 45th in September and I was almost a first anniversary present. (And I thought it was supposed to be paper...not infants.)
My own luck on the route didn't fare as well the first time (petering out after the first 17...perhaps because we had no sons), but maybe...just maybe...the next time will bode better for me. A new piece of 'bling' this past weekend has started that process in motion. And everyone is all smiles.
Congrats to your parents! How lucky they were to have had a son.
Aha, so these are the secrets. I'm noting and filing them.
RE Honda Element Lileks loves his--check out lileks.com/bleat
RE anniversaries--we just had number 37. Guess that makes me old enough to be your parent, eh? We're late bloomers tho--number one son will be 25 this week (and number one daughter will be 21 next month). He's in the process of buying his first new car--Honda CRT. Congrats to your parents. June is a great month for weddings ;)
I wondered what the appeal was for that boxy vehicle. It's nice to hear that it has many good qualities.
What about gas mileage?
Cas
My parents' 50th is this year. I'm very grateful that I have that stability.
Cheers.
such an awesome son...hahahaha...and modest too! ;-)
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THE ELEMENT! the PF should totally rock an element!
Oops make that Honda CR-V--CRT is Cathode Ray Tube for those of us in our dotage.
Congrats to your parents!
I'm shopping for a car right now, too.