45 Reasons for a Successful Marriage

       My parents celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary this week.  I composed a list of 45th things my parents have done that have strengthened their marriage.  Each item has its own story.

       I also composed a list of 45 attributes they both have that had has led to their enduring and endearing relationship.  

Both lists are below. 

45 Reasons Why My Parents Have Had

45 Years of Marriage

1.         Holding Hands

2.   6 Kids

3.         Honey-Do-Days

4.         Best Cook in Captivity

5.         22 Grandkids

6.         "Avon Money" (When ever Mom made a purchase and Dad inquired where they got the money, Mom said it was Avon Money--she sold Avon when they were first married...but somehow she always had "Avon Money")

7.         Reading Sunday Comics Together (They refused to take the Desert News for the sole reason that they said the Tribune had better Sunday comics).

8.         Meisha and Snuggle Time (the dog would heard them into the bedroom to sit on bed and snuggle with them).

9.         Going to the Temple Together

10.      Home Teaching Together

11.      Madame Alexandra Dolls

12.      New Soft Reclining Chair and Flat Screen TV  (they snuggle and hold hands while watching shows).

13.      IHOP, Marie Calendars, Red Lobster

14.      Plastic Lobster (hiding it around the house)

15.      Trips to Lewiston and Cedar City

16.      Daily Prayer and Reading Scriptures in Bed Until Elaine Falls Asleep

17.      Traditions

18.      Disneyland and DisneyWorld

19.      Jerusalem

20.      Diane Decker and other inside jokes

21.      Books on CD

22.      Dad’s Gravy

23.      Hospitals in Hawaii

24.      Dad Getting the Ground Ready for Mom’s Garden and Bringing Up Boxes and Boxes and Boxes of Mom’s Decorations

25.      Free Wendy’s Frosties

26.      Monk, Jagg, Bones

27.      Family Reunions

28.      Taking Mom’s Banana Bread and Meals to People

29.      Mom's Gingersnaps

30.      KOSY 106.5, Free Movies, Free Plays, Free Wii, DVD's etc.

31.      Knight in Shining Armor

32.      Copykuahs (They call each other every time their speedometer reads like a palindrome)

33.      Desert Storm (Dad served in the Gulf War and they realized what they could lose, so they really worked on their relationship when he got home).

34.      Kohl’s Coupons, Rebates, Sharing Restaurant Meals

35.      Breakfast with Santa and Cinco De Mayo Parties

36.      Attending Children and Grandkids’ Performances, Games, Programs, etc. Together

37.      Dad Shoveling Snow and Helping with Mom’s Garden

38.      Lunch Love Notes on Napkins

39.      Jake and The Pirates

40.      Grandpa’s Fruit Snacks and Grandma’s Treat Jar

41.      Mom Letting Dad Go Flying

42.      Motorcycle to Salvation Army (Mom was scared of motor cycles and she didn't want to be a widow raising 3 small children if Dad got into an accident, so one day when Dad was at work, she called the Salvation Army to take the motorcycle.)

43.      Front Sight (they attended a fire arms conference together)

44.      UASBO  Trips and District Visits

45.      Sharing "3 Good Things"  Daily  

45 Attributes for 45 Years of a Successful Marriage

1.      Selflessness

2.      Tolerance

3.      Sense of humor

4.      Ability/Willingness to share

5.      Dedication

6.      Cherishing each other

7.      Charity

8.      Honoring each other and the others’ needs/wants     

9.      Gentleness

10.  Forgiveness

11.  Willingness to Sacrifice

12.  Patience

13.  Humility

14.  Kindness

15.  Submissiveness

16.  Faithful to each other

17.  Compassion

18.  Commitment

19.  Devotion

20.  Understanding

21.  Affection

22.  Communication

23.  Flexibility

24.  Support

25.  Ability to make each other laugh

26.  Love

27.  Long suffering

28.  Sympathy

29.  Dedication to religious beliefs

30.  Ability to enjoy life

31.  Dedication to children

32.  Didn’t hold grudges

33.  Equally yoked

34.  Vision

35.  Union

36.  Long suffering

37.  Continually learning

38.  Allowing each other hobbies/interests

39.  Work

40.  Seeking out ways to build each other

41.  Service

42.  Endurance

43.  Foregoing own wants/needs

44.  Spending time together

45.  Honesty