Looking back...

DH and I are quickly approaching our 10th wedding anniversary.  8 days after out wedding we were separated for the first time (as a married couple).  Our "honeymoon" was spent at the glorious "Casa de In-laws."  We went through TONS of DH's stuff - he was, and still is, a packrat!  We were also helping his sister enlist in the Army (then she wound up in the Air Force!).  DH is prior service enlisted so we spent hours with the recruiter to make sure he didn't "blow smoke" about enlistment stuff.  Not exactly my idea of a honeymoon, but such is life.

Anyway... DH went to Ft. Lewis, WA while I remained in PA to finish college (3 months later).  On our one MONTH anniversary he sent me a small gift that has adorned a wall in every house we have lived in.  I want to share this gift with you...

"RULES FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE"

1. Never be angry at the same time.
2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.
3. If one of you has to win the argument, let it be the other one.
4. Never bring up mistakes of the past.
5. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.
6. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.
7. At least once a day, say something kind or complimentary to your partner.
8. Remember that "it takes two" for everything, especially love.

Truth be told, DH and I have not exactly followed all the rules to a "T."  If we did, what fun would that be?!?!?!  We don't have a perfect marriage - that concept is unheard of.  What we do have is a love for one another that, no matter what rule we break, we always seem to find some way to work it out. 

What gift or memory do you have from when you were first married (or together as a couple)?

Comments

[Sis B]

When I first met my husband two years ago I wasn't ready to be seriously involved with anyone and I certainly wanted no part of dating a soldier during wartime. I recognized him immediately, however, as my partner. Sometime in the first few months I told him I loved him, but I couldn't promise anything and I wasn't ready for commitment.

His response? "A little acorn has a chance to grow into a mighty oak, all it takes is some time and nurturing."

We haven't lived together yet and our marriage is young, but we are nurturing our little sapling and it's growing up strong. One day we'll be that mighty oak. :)

[Ann M.]

I love those rules :) So true and sweet!

My husband is in the Navy, and one of the first things we bought together for our new "place" was a small figurine of a lighthouse. Partly because they're good luck for sailors, but also because this particular one was right next to the Navy Lodge where he proposed.

Since then, we've kind of morphed the whole living room into a nautical theme, but that lighthouse has a place of special honor.

[mismysailor]

You know those stands in the Mall where they take your name and tell you what it means, we decided to get one but with both our names and our anniversary. When the guy asked when our anniversary was I replied and was met with instant "OMG, you don't know the day we were married" and he said it in the voice that he reserves for when he is 100% right or when I know there is no need to argue further cause he's not changing his mind. I stood there as he went on and on about how I had forgotten the most important day of our life and after about 15 minutes of this he had convinced me he was right and I was wrong and I felt so bad I didn't even argue with him when he told the guy the day were were married. We got it printed, paid for a nice frame but on the way home I came out of my shameful shell and decided I would check the date on our marriage license. To make a long story short I was right and after 10 yrs we still have it on the wall. Every now and then we'll look at it and laugh!

[Tessa]

My husband and I have been together since we were 14 years old. We know each other quite well to say the least we finish each others sentences even. So my memory was when he first asked me to be his girlfriend. Anyhow he sent me a note asking me to check yes or no just like that George Strait song. It was so sweet and I still have that note he sent me. I get it out and read it sometimes and it makes me smile. We will be married 4 years in Sept. and now have a 15 mo old daughter. They make my life complete.

[ArmyWife_Infantryman]

I went to California after I graduated high school to visit my brother that was in the Army and his family for the summer. I liked it there and decided to stay. A few months later I met my husband. We dated for a year and married in California. We decided to get married at the JP there and always planned to have our big wedding later when we were home with all our friends and family. Well we finally had that "big" fancy wedding where we renewed our vows on our 10th anniversary. We have 3 kids and our youngest was almost 2 during that ceremony and they enjoyed being part of it. It was beautiful and we grew a lot closer after that. I would recommend to anyone that had a simple JP wedding to have that fancy wedding someday. It really does make a difference and we now have some beautiful wedding pictures and memories to remember.

[Michael]

I just stumbled into this site and am glad I did.

I married my Army Reservist girlfriend last June. She deployed to Iraq in October. I've been a bit lost ever since. Your posts re: being military newlyweds are helpful to me. I have yet to meet other husbands whose new wives are deployed. Any ideas for support are welcomed.

[Tiffany]

When me and my boyfriend first met we were jumping off chairs onto crouds of people...we met at a concert. It was the best night of our lives...We have been together for only 1 month but we have so much fun together and we love each other more than anything in the world