25 Tips from 25 Years of Marriage

My honey and I just celebrated our 25 year wedding anniversary this month....hard to believe.

So I was asked by my niece to do a "25 tips from 25 years" post.  My husband said, "Wow, that's a lot of tips.  Will anyone even read that?"  But since I am a numbers person and since I've been given the challenge, I'm going to do it! Feel free to stop reading at anytime, but I'm going to make them short and sweet, with no or little explanation, in the hopes that you will keep reading.   I also want them to be simple and practical and I in no way want to come across as "preachy" because believe me, I still have a very long way to go and much to learn.

1. Say "I love you" a lot!

2. Leave each other notes, nice notes : )

3. Make each other's coffee in the morning.

4. Don't try to be better than the other.

5. Pray together everyday.

6. Don't nag, instead make a sweet honey-do list.

7. Have a date night at least once a month, preferably once a week.

8. Plan a vacation away with no kids (unless it's a nursing infant) at least once a year.

9. Never say "no" to your husband (you can read between the lines here.)

10. Play together, like a sport or hobby or game, etc.

11. Make his favorite meals.

12. Always greet him with a kiss when he comes home from work.

13. Put a little lipstick and perfume on before he walks through that door after a long day of work.

14. Never forget a birthday or anniversary.

15. Give each other space.

16. Shop together and pick out each other's clothes.  

17. Compliment and encourage each other daily.

18. Forgive quickly and never hold a grudge.

19. Also ask for forgiveness quickly.

20. Go to church together.

21. Establish healthy boundaries with in-laws and extended family.

22. Don't get a pet without asking your spouse : )

23. Talk openly about money and don't establish separate accounts.

24. Sow into your marriage with healthy books, seminars, conferences, etc.

25. Laugh together and don't take life or each other too seriously.