Ten Short Years Of Marriage: Things I’ve Learned, Why I’m Thankful For My Wife On Our Tenth Anniversary

Today is the tenth anniversary of the day that my wife and I were married. I remember the day well. I was living with several friends at the time, and we all slept in that morning before getting up and heading out for a mid-morning breakfast at Denny’s. The day started out extremely stormy, and at one point the skies turned green – the type of skies you expect to see when a tornado is heading your way.  Despite the downpours and high wind we had a pretty casual morning and we made our way to the church by the lunch hour for photos.  Our photos were going to be in a local park, but the rains moved us into the church.

I remember talking to my wife later on about how different her morning was the day of our wedding. The ladies were up at the crack of dawn and heading in for hair appointments, last minute dress preparations, and more. They were scrambling around trying to get everything done while the guys showed up, got dressed and played a little frisbee.  Finally we all had our pictures taken together, and then came the ceremony.

The sun came out just before the wedding, and everything went off without a hitch.  It was  a beautiful ceremony involving our families, and then a fun reception and dance at a local country club. It was a wonderful day, and  great start to our marriage.  The fact that we were headed to Maui a couple of days later for our honeymoon was just icing on the cake (that’s us below on our wedding day!)

Now fast forward ten short years, and here we are celebrating our 10th anniversary! How did the years go so fast? Today I decided to share some things that I’ve learned in those 10 years, and talk about some things I’m thankful for about my wonderful wife Maria.

Things I’ve Learned In 10 Years Of Marriage

I think I’ve learned a lot of things about marriage in the past 10 years, some the hard way. Here are a few of them.

• It’s important to listen: As a husband, sometimes it’s best to just listen to your wife and beat back the urge to try and fix things all the time. During our first year of marriage especially I found myself talking with my wife about her problems, and always trying to fix the problems. Thething was my wife only wanted me to listen, and share her feelings with me.
• Try to put your spouse first: In our culture we’re constantly bombarded with the importance of the individual, and of doing what’s right for ourselves.  In marriage, however, it’s important to have the other person’s best interest at heart first, otherwise it will lead to hurt.
• Be careful what you say, words wound:  In our 10 years of marriage we’ve had our share of ups and downs, and we’ve both said things that we regretted.  Be careful what you say to your significant other because words can sometimes hurt worse than physical pain.
• It’s important to forgive: Since we’ve had those ups and downs we’ve also had plenty of occasion to forgive each other. Be ready and willing to forgive, even if your partner is still upset.
• Communicate:  You would think since I write hundreds of words 5 days a week that I’d be better at communicating, but verbal communication seems to be a weak point for me at times.  I’ve learned the importance, however, of communicating with your spouse, and always being open and honest with them.
• Make date night a priority:  It’s important for you and your spouse to connect with each other on a regular basis, especially after you have kids. It’s tough to find the time, but it really is important.
• Be generous with your spouse:  Be generous with your wife or husband in all ways.  In love, in forgiveness, in hugs and kisses. Nice gifts don’t hurt either.

These are just a few of the things that I’ve learned, and I’ll be the first to admit that far too often I’ve learned them the hard way.  I can be hard headed at times, but I know I’m lucky to have married such a wonderful woman.

Want some more tips on how to have a healthy marriage?  Check out these posts I wrote a year or so ago after attending our church’s marriage conference.  24 Habits Of A Healthy Marriage Part 1 & 24 Habits Of A Healthy Marriage Part 2

Why I’m Thankful For My Wife Maria

There are a myriad of reasons why I’m thankful for my wife Maria.

• The depth of her love: She’s so much more loving than I could ever be, when she care for you, you know it. I’ve appreciated that even more-so now that we’ve had a son, and I’ve seen the depth of her love and caring for him as well.
• She’s a wonderful mother: She is a wonderful mother, loving and caring, and sympathetic when I can’t work up the will to care.
• She’s fiercely loyal: If she’s on your side she’ll be there for life.  I know my wife loves me no matter what.
• She’s a fighter and a survivor:  She’s gone through a lot of health issues in the past few years from a massive blood clot that could have killed her, to a couple of surgeries.  She’s a fighter and a survivor and got through them all!
• Her sense of humor:  She’s got a wonderful sense of humor, and her laugh will always make me smile.
• She’s beautiful inside and out: She is gorgeous, and her smile lights up the room. Not only that but she’s beautiful on the inside as well.

I feel extremely blessed to have married this wonderful woman, and I thank God for her every day.

Ten Short Years

It’s been ten short years since we joined our hopes, our fears.
We said I do and we did, we promised to love and live,
together as one, loving God’s Son.
In good times and bad, whether happy or sad.
We’ve known the utter depths of sorrow and despair.
but through it all we remained in love, and forever there.
I grow to love you more each day, and more than words can say.
I know we’ll weather every storm, and forever be as one.

Maria I’m forever yours, your love.