Thirty-Four and Counting
Today marks the 34th anniversary of the founding of this portion of the clan when Val and I got married. It is a miracle to me each and every day that I get to live with my best friend who has been there in some really awful times and in some truly awesome times. Like today that was a Saturday, so that means we have finished exactly 1,774 weeks married (or 12,418 days!)

Two years ago when I noted this I posted my surefire, foolproof ways to stay married this long. I thought I would repeat them:

1> Get Old
2> Don't get divorced
3> Don't die (a corollary of #1)
4> Don't try to change the other person
5> Be yourself
6> Pray a lot
7> Don't take yourself too damn seriously
8> Always believe that your love has not even reached the half way point and it will continue to get better.

Since that post two years ago, we have been through a number of interesting adventures. As a result I would change #7 to

Don't take yourself too damn seriously - and always appreciate your partner for putting up with you.

And I would uphold with even more strength the power of prayer. That doesn't mean to rely on prayer to keep your marriage together. Prayer will never replace love. What it does mean is never forget that what you have is a gift from God and God is very much involved in all you do. It is grace so grace must also always be in the center of your marriage.

Enough. I love my wife. I love being married to her. I love the times we have. God surely is great!