Today marks 40 years(!) since my parents walked down the aisle together. And while I’d like to throw them one giant bash to celebrate such an incredible milestone, that doesn’t seem to be much of an option right now. Instead, I took some time to reflect on the things that their relationship has taught me in the time that I’ve been able to watch them continue to build a life together.
Here’s hoping they’re at least reading this somewhere beautiful over a bottle of champagne right now!
- Find someone who can be your friend. Romance is necessary sometimes, but friendship means a lot more.
- Times will get tough. Really tough. But there will always be something better on the other side.
- Never stop forcing each other to step out of your comfort zones. In doing this, you will grow together. And growing together is a greater bond than you might ever even realize.
- Always stand up for what you believe in. And if you do it as a team, you can move mountains.
- There are plenty of rules that were meant to be broken. Don’t fall into the trap of accepting the status quo.
- Money isn’t everything. In fact, it’s pretty much nothing. Nice things are often enjoyable, but really don’t mean a damn thing.
- The journey can be more fun than the destination.
- A lot of times life is actually one big joke. Keep finding the humor in the madness.
- There is nothing you can’t do with a little persistence and determination. Period.
- Go out and see the world. You’ll never regret it.
- Being stubborn has its place in life. We all fail with this one along the way, but try to figure out when and where it’s really needed.
- Never be afraid to get your hands dirty. The hardest work is often the most fulfilling.
- How you speak to people who can’t do anything for you says a whole heck of a lot about you.
- Try to make everyone around you feel special. It’s the least we can do for one another.
- Family is everything.
- Embrace the crazy.
- Look harder. Think harder. There’s always a solution.
- Call each other out on your faults. No one ever got better without being challenged.
- Being ornery is underrated.
- Find the weirdos, the dorks, and the nut jobs. They’re usually the most entertaining and often the most genuine.
- There are lots of things you don’t want to do, but know you should do. Suck it up, buttercup.
- Never miss an opportunity to give back.
- Animals are angels among us.
- We all make mistakes. You can’t hold onto each other’s forever.
- Sometimes the best way to end a fight is to break the tension with a joke.
- “Sorry” isn’t always verbal. It might be an invite to hang out, offering some of the food you’re making, or giving an unsolicited compliment.
- Class doesn’t come from using the proper fork, ordering your steak at the right temperature, or wearing the most exclusive brands. It’s about how you make others feel when they’re around you.
- People will take advantage of you when you’re kind and generous. Let them deal with the repercussions. Be a good person and life has a way of smiling on you.
- True intelligence doesn’t require flowery language. The smarter someone is, the more simply they can converse on any subject.
- Lots of people will tell you to never work with your spouse. What they don’t know is that working together helps you to understand some of each other’s daily needs, concerns and obstacles on a level that’s invaluable for your relationship.
- Go ahead and take risks. You’ll figure it out either way.
- Keep finding reasons to celebrate, big and small. And always have a bottle of champagne chilled and ready. (Bonus points for Becherovka!)
- Always do good work, even if it means a loss on your end. That alone is something to hang your hat on.
- Speak your mind and allow yourself to get good and angry. It’s better to be real with one another than live one big, passive aggressive lie.
- Always embrace your creativity. It’s what makes you, “you.”
- Never stop dreaming.
- Brainstorming together is one of the best ways to bond and be a team.
- There’s always a place for some healthy competition. The challenge keeps things fun and maintains a level of respect for one another.
- Focus on the less obvious things you love about one another. That’s what makes your relationship special.
- If you find the person who can make you laugh harder than anyone else on earth, you’ve found something to hold onto through the decades.
Happy 40th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
