The Writer's Pen

As Cheri and I are closing in on our 50th anniversary, I have been reflecting on what has kept us together all these years. Here are some tips I have learned over the past five decades.

1. Your wife is always right (even if she isn’t).

2. The most important words in your vocabulary need to be, “Yes, Dear.”

3. No matter how difficult it may be, try to never go to bed angry at each other.

4. The dog belongs to both of you, so you need to take your responsibility. For me, that’s four walks per day. For Cheri, it is always remembering her dog treats at just the right time.

5. Yes, you need to pay attention to what you put in the washer and dryer. Pink is not the color you want for many of your clothes.

6. When she says no, she means no, and you better believe it.

7. Always find time to share the good times and tender moments.

8. You don’t have to do everything together.

9. Always find time to show your love to your kids and grandkids.

10. Laughter is one of the most important things to share in a relationship.

11. Never take yourself too seriously.

12. Recognize your faults and mistakes because everyone else will.

13. Learn how to forgive and move on.

14. Be grateful for every day you have together (some days are easier than others).

15. Remember that everything you have given in your relationship has been worth all the effort you have to put into it.

16. Don’t hold grudges – they only hurt you and nobody else.

17. Enjoy the positive things that every day brings.

18. Always include prayer in your decision-making.

19. Never say never – always keep trying and keep smiling.

20. Your Honey Dew List is really your Honey Do List.

21. Use selective memory to remember the good times and not the bad.

22. Always try to give more than you get.

23. Live today like it may be your last and always include God in what you do.

24. Remember that your wife is always right.

Finally, happy anniversary, and thank you for being you for all these years.

David Hoye lives in Everly with his wife, Cheri. He is a published writer with several different titles for sale on Amazon and WestBow Press.