30 SIMPLE THINGS TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE LAST 30 YEARS

By Kelsey Robertson

I love my parents. I am their youngest child; the youngest of 12 children. They’ve been married for almost 45 years.

I am so grateful for their strong example of what it takes to make a marriage work. Wanting to know the details, I asked them to share how they have managed to make it last for so long. According to my happily married parents, it is easy as long as they are both willing to put forth effort in the little things. Specifically, by remembering these 30 things:

1. Be equal partners in all things

2. Be supportive, even if it goes against everything you think you believe

3. Compliment each other often

4. Eat dinner together whenever possible

5. Divorce is not an option

6. Don’t complain about little chores; just do them

7. Don’t complain to others about your marriage

8. Don’t sweat the small stuff; it doesn’t matter

9. Don’t take offense

10. Develop and maintain friendships with other couples

11. Get away together at least once a year, even if it is just for one night

12. Hold hands

13. Be interested in the other’s interests, or fake it until you truly are

14. Laugh at yourself

15. Let go of past relationships

16. Listen, even when it is inconvenient

17. Let your spouse know you love spending time with them

18. Laugh at each other

19. Make their favorite meal when you can

20. Never badmouth your spouse to or in front of your children

21. Leave the porch light on at night to welcome them home

22. Praise them in front of others

23. Share private jokes

24. Show respect, in public and in private

25. Share your secrets

26. Surprise them occasionally

27. Laugh with each other

28. Make weekly date night a priority

29. Let your spouse know you trust them

30. Maintain perspective

By remembering these 30 simple things each day, your marriage is sure to last a lifetime!