Today my husband and I celebrate our 30th anniversary. We’ve learned a few things over the past thirty years—like how to have the perfect marriage and live happily ever after.
Just kidding.
Seriously now, we have learned a lot over thirty years of marriage, about relationships, parenting, home improvements, and just plain life.
Here are a few of the things we know now that we didn’t know back in 1986:
- No matter how well you think you know them, you don’t really know a person until after you’ve been married for a year or so
- And even then they still surprise you
- Hobbies are important
- Sometimes it’s your turn to be the upbeat partner, even when your day was tiring too
- Some foods don’t freeze well
- This too shall pass
- Children change your life in unalterable ways—but it’s OK
- Not everything should be a competition
- Remember all those things you swore you’d never do when you had kids? Ahem. Yeah.
- You should know a person well before accepting their movie or restaurant recommendations
- As a matter of fact, your child can figure out how to open it
- It’s OK to do fun stuff without your spouse (but only sometimes)
- Acidic water eats through faucets, water heaters, and pipes
- Leaks are always discovered at inconvenient moments
- You are not your parents. You are not good at everything they do well, nor should you try to be
- Road trips with children go much faster when you remember Hank the Cow Dog.
- Always read the label before spraying bug-killer on your vegetables
- Being right is not as important as being kind
- Sending your kid to camp for the first time will probably be harder on you than on them
- Listening to your baby cry is not as nerve-wracking as wondering why your 17-year-old isn’t home yet
- Learn to appreciate it when your spouse’s strengths compliment yours (even when it annoys you)
- Woodpeckers love to drill holes in cedar siding
- Chipmunks love to eat tulip bulbs–every last one
- Heated car seats are a great invention
- Even after 30 years, you don’t know everything about a person
We look forward to many more years together, along with many more life lessons.
How about you? What have you learned in the past thirty years that is worth passing on?
It might be fun to think back and rediscover a few.
Amy Train says
My hubby always says, “It’s you and me against the world”. Not because we think everyone is out to get us, or we are the only people we care about. It’s because if we stick together, and have each other’s backs, we can get through anything. Together. Almost 22 years later, and we are still here and going.
Also, I love the screaming baby, 17 year old one. That is sooo true.
Lisa says
There were so many other things I could have added. I like the have each other’s backs analogy. Because there are forces out there trying to rip us apart.
Kathy says
CONGRATULATIONS, Lisa!! Your two are such a handsome couple!!! (I’m only on almost 9 years with my husband– the best years of my life). May you have many more blessed years together!
Marge Gregory says
Hank the Cow Dog? As ever, your blog was full of wisdom and insight…and made me laugh! Happy Anniversary! Our 46th is coming up and I have to agree with every one of your statements…except for Hank the Cow Dog.
Robin Archibald says
A very fun post, Lisa! And I liked your before and “after” photos.
Carol K. says
That’s a great picture of you and Herb. It is hard to believe it was 30 years ago. Happy Anniversary! You made a great couple then and you still make a great couple now.
Pat Weisel says
I’ve learned after over 50 years of marriage that even when going thru a desert time with your spouse, God ALWAYS brings a resurrection of feelings . . . .tenderness, generosity, passion, fun . . . .and so on. All we need for that renewed time is patience and trust in HIM . . . . it gets better with longevity, honest!
Lisa says
Thanks to all for your kind wishes. It has been a (mostly) wonderful first thirty years, and we look forward to many more. And, in defense of Hank the Cow Dog, his stories (first on cassette, then on DC) filled the hours of many long car rides, making the trip shorter for everyone.