This post is part of the Happy Wives Club Blog Tour which I am delighted to be a part of along with hundreds of inspiring bloggers. To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE!
Recently I discovered a special website called The Happy Wives Club. I loved the positive message Fawn Weaver is sending out to the world. I purchased her brand new book Happy Wives Club and I am devoting this post to a few of the reasons why my husband Craig and I are celebrating 30 years of marriage and still smiling! As an Empty Nester, the kids are gone and we are encouraged to once again determine what is important to us in order to be happy and fulfilled and our “adventures” nurture and enrich our Empty Nest!
Fawn Weaver suggested several reasons why I might want to devote a blog post to sharing my thoughts about marriage. Her #3 reason truly resonated with me.
#3 Encouraging happy and healthy marriages is a benefit to us all! I completely agree. By sending out positive and encouraging thoughts about marriage and family we are making a difference to the world. There is plenty of negativity out there, let us foster the positive! Here is just a glimpse into our world.
Our story:
Craig and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and this is the perfect time for me to ponder how we got here and what made this marriage so successful! We met when we were 15 and 16 in our high school Spanish class. We sat alphabetically and he sat directly behind me. Yes it was love at first sight, but a marriage takes much more than love to be successful. We dated for 7 years with a few breakups and heartbreaks, but ultimately we were the perfect match. There are many fairly obvious attributes of a happy marriage like trust, commitment, laughter, partnership, honesty and fun. However, for this post I decided to focus on just a few of the “not so obvious” ones to share with you.
1. Unselfishness is sexy – If we spend time putting our spouse first, there is no room for error. What an amazing feeling when someone else puts your needs before theirs. It is the ultimate compliment and validation of your successful partnership.
2. Indulge each others interests– Craig LOVES baseball and music. I became a knowledgeable baseball fan and learned about all of the music he is so crazy about! He indulges my passion for foodie adventures,fashion, fitness and photography. His interest for all of my endeavors is limitless. However, we are more than just supportive, we participate in each others activities as well.
3. Patience – Life is so full of ups and downs and every family can have so many challenges to deal with. A family member’s illness, financial issues, the list can be lengthy. By approaching each issue with patience, irrational behavior goes out the window and the end result will be more successful.
4. Friendship -Within our marriage is a 30 year friendship. Haven’t we always heard how people describe their spouse as their “best friend”. It seems cliché, but it is so true! I would rather spend time with him than any other person on the planet. If you asked Craig, he would say the same thing.If I discover something new or travel to a new place, it would never be the same without him right there with me.
With age comes wisdom and I feel it is my duty to share my amazing experience of a 30 year marriage with other generations. I think we all need to have hope for the future and marriage is not easy, but it’s worth it. By concentrating on all of the various ingredients of a healthy marriage you are likely to be celebrating your 30th anniversary and more!
30 years later and still smiling,
Suzanne
Fawn Weaver, the founder of the Happy Wives Club wrote a book about the best marriage secrets the world has to offer. They say the book is like “Eat, Pray, Love meets The 5 Love Languages.” I say the book is inspiring. You can grab a copy HERE.
Your relationship inspires me daily 🙂
Thank you Alex, that means the world to me!
You made 4 very valid points, especially indulging each other’s interests. CAn forget to do this sometimes, thanks for a reminder. Congratulations on 30 years!!!
Thank you Lisa! A successful marriage has a lot of different components, we all need reminding!Thank you for stopping by the blog!
Thank you for your inspiration and positive outlook on marriage. Great examples of what to do!
Thank you Karin!We all need to live in the positive! A little humor doesn’t hurt either!Thank you for your comments!
Having spent many dinners, and traveling with you and your family, you are spot on in your description! You have an amazing relationship that I admire, and hope to have someday! Congratulations on 30 years!!
Dede: Thank you for your kind words and unwavering support! You are a very dear person and we are so lucky to be your friends.
You’re such a special person Suzanne. Keep inspiring and congrats! 🙂
Thank you Jennifer! That means so much!
You two are so cute, and I’m so glad that you are still going strong! Thank you for encouraging the younger couples (and older ones too). You are proof that couples can still love and respect each other after many years.
Thank you Shari!You and Tony are a wonderful example as well!
Beautifully-written and well-modeled insights, Suzanne, thank you! Congrats on the Big 3-0! (how can that be???)
Thank you Ellen! You are right! How can that be when I am only 35?!
I reference you and Craig often as a couple ! look up to. Some of my fondest memories, and greatest laughs, have come while spending time with the Staverts. Here’s to 30 more!!!
Thank you Leslie! We have a wonderful family and I could not ask for someone more special than you!We do laugh a lot don’t we??
Suzanne thanks for sharing joy! My husband, Doug and I have always enjoyed our time with you. We always come away feeling really happy that the 4 of us are really lucky to be in relationships where we all still love and respect each other.Like you both,we have been pals since high school. Unlike you and Craig ,we became an item in our senior year of college. Yesterday we figured out we have buddies for 40 years!!!! We just celebrated our 33rd anniversary.My God we sound old! So after the door shut for the last one off to college, we found that we were happy for all those special moments we shared with our 3 boys but being alone in that now big empty house was really fun. As you know Suzanne, my husband retired 3 months ago at 55 . What we both are finding is ,”no he’s not bored.” Retirement for us is an opportunity to focus on the things and relationships we love with more time and passion. So that being said, we look forward to spending more time with you our fellow empty nesters, Suzanne,thanks for inspiring us all with your adventures.
Meg thank you and Doug for inspiring us as well. You are both so fun to be with and it is so heartwarming to observe your relationship. You have set the bar high for your boys and they too will have marriages as wonderful as yours is! You both spread sunshine and joy wherever you go and are so generous with your time and energy. I look forward to you writing about the adventures you and Doug will have!
What makes this even more special is the fact that I remember you two dating in high school. Didn’t know you very we’ll, but thought “what a cute couple they are”. You are an inspiration to all us married women and empty nesters and you really put the “fun” into your daily life. Your willingness and generosity in sharing your story is much appreciated Suzanne!
Thank you Lisa! I think we all need to embrace this time in our lives. I was so sad when my kids left and I understand now that I need to enjoy as many adventures as possible! The Happy Wives Club is a positive message and I think we need more of that. Since we were celebrating 30 years, it seemed the perfect time to share!
I loved your story, Suzanne … and I think your perspective on marriage is so interesting and inspiring. I definitely agree that we can’t be reminded enough to be patient, interested, and unselfish. You and Craig honestly have the same spark that you’ve had since we’ve known you — 20-plus years:) Taking it a generation further, you two are unofficial role models to all our kids on being married and staying adventurous and passionate and enthusiastic about life! Cheers to you both!!!
Thank you Kathy! When you are surrounded by friends like you, we are always inspired! I love how you and Kevin embrace your Empty Nest as well!
You hi the nail on the head! We just passed 31 years ourselves.
Congratulations! You are such a fun couple!
Congrats on 30 years! Love that you included “friendship”. Physical attraction is great and it’s a fire that can always be rekindled…unless you aren’t friends first or you let the friendship part lapse.
Thank you Sue! You are so right. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will share this website with your clients. I hope you are doing GREAT as well!
This is a truly inspirational post. I think friendship is a secret to successful marriage. And it’s not a cliche, it’s just a reality. With friendship comes everything else (trust, interest, respect, ….). Congrats on 30 years!
You guys look so happy! It’s really an inspiration to see such a sweet couple. I’m having a rough time with my hubby right now, as we have three high needs boys. We’ve stuck by each other for 13 years now, but we’ve hit a rough patch. Thank you for reminding me that patience is so important in a lasting relationship. I’m commenting as part of the SITS comment day. Great post!
Dear Tara – Thank you for sharing and for visiting. NO marriage is a cake walk. I only had 500 words to talk about marriage and chose that part of the story. Keep talking to each other and be proud of what you have already accomplished! Email me and I can tell you more. You are a sweetie!
I came from the SITS comment group, and I really loved your message. My husband and I have been married for 15 years; and yes, it is hard work, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Thank you for your comments and for visiting. 15 years is a fabulous achievement as well, congratulations! A happy marriage is something you choose!
Such an inspiring story you have here…and your blog is so unique…not seen so many blogs about “empty nesters.” Thanks for sharing your journey through your marriage and life after the kids are gone…My husband and I are newbies…4 years this year (with a 19 month old). Hoping and praying for many more years
Tosin AK
visiting from SITS group
Congratulations on 4 years – that’s wonderful! Thank you for your comments on my blog, please share it with the Empty Nesters in your life. It sounds like you have a wonderful little family and I wish you all the best! Stay in touch!
Hi Suzanne,
Congratulations on celebrating 30 years of marriage. Your marriage has far superseded many marriages in this day. I love your four ideas, but especially that your husband is your best friend. I have been married for 14 years and we are still so in love with one another. I think that friendship and love are important keys to a successful marriage. Visiting from SITS comment day!
Hi there! Visiting from the SITS comment challenge. I loved this post because it gave me more of a vision for my marriage years down the road. My husband and I became a couple at ages 15 and 16 as well, and have a very similar story. Thanks for the inspiration! : )
Thank you for your visit! Marriage is a wonderful thing, but it takes work and commitment. It sounds like you have a special one!
Hello Suzanne,
Congratulations on 30 years of marriage. Nice to read posts like this that support marriage. All we hear about most times is divorce. thankfully I’m exposed to women like you and I’m surrounded by family members who’ve been married for a while and still smiling. God bless you!
Stopping by from SITS~
P.S. You have great reason to smile…your husband is handsome. Quite a distinguished looking gentleman!
Thank you Yvonne! You are so sweet! Yes he is a catch isn’t he? Looks like George Clooney! It sounds like you have great role models in your family- that is awesome. Thank you for stopping by!