Marriage Rules
This week I'm with the Phenix side of the family on a trip celebrating the achievement of a lifetime - my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary! We are thrilled to be spending the week together and will have a special dinner where everyone in the family reads a letter saying what we’ve learned from Frances & Rees, aka “Nandy & Poppy.” I barely know where to begin my note, so I'm simply summarizing their unwritten, but well documented marriage rules. I thought you'd enjoy the list because after 50 years of marriage, clearly this worked for them! Here we go...
Marriage Rules a la Frances & Rees (with real-life visuals!)
- Laugh first.
- Love God.
- Love others.
- Love dogs.
- Don't just eat your food, dissect it (like the turkey heart at Thanksgiving).
- Prioritize family.
- Teach what you've been taught.
- Feed squirrels and birds, but never deer (because they eat the azalea bushes).
- Tell Stories.
- Go Jackets!
- Be a good neighbor.
- Welcome everyone.
- Fly Delta.
- Call often.
- Attend big events.
- You're never too old to Trick or Treat.
- Your presence is your present.
- Work together (& carry Grandkids when you're in a crowd).
- Pound cake is always appropriate. (Can I get an "Amen?!")
- Enjoy the fruits of your labor...by grabbing a little time in the sun/shade.
- Have fun.
- Tchotchkes have stories too.
- Make silly faces.
- Travel together.
- Laugh ... even more.
- Hop on the shoulders.
- Do anything for a picture ... (and multi-task)
- Be amazed.
- Matching clothes? Why not!
- Love unconditionally.
- You’re never too old for Disney.
- Safety first (especially on the boat).
- Go with the flow.
- When you're at the lake, the “front yard” faces the water, but the front door is “Outback.” (I still don't understand this...)
- Trees have feelings too.
- Dress for the season!
- Learn new things! (like Geocaching)
- Relax.
- Embrace new family (and don't worry about toddler moods!)
- Share.
- Play! Play! Play!
- Hug as many as possible.
- Eskimo kiss often.
- 5:00 is wine time.
- Hold hands.
- Fish every day, if possible.
- Smile.
- Naps should be on a hammock.
- Finish together.
- Laugh all the way to the end.
What a legacy these two have made! Between the Phenix in-laws and my parents (Fletch & Gail), there are 103 years of marriage. Remarkable!! Few in life ever cross the 50-year mark and I can only begin to tell you what a privilege it is to have a front row seat.
Happy Happy HAPPY Anniversary!!! I'm looking forward to learning more from you in the coming years.