“When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.” — unknown
If you are in a relationship, here are some tips to staying in that relationship:
- Always put her first — before work, friends, even basketball. Act as if she’s the best thing that ever happened to you, because we all know she is.
- Keep no secrets. Pool your money. Allow nothing and no one to come between you.
- Pick your fights with care. Play fair. Show some class. Hurtful words can be forgiven, but they’re hard to forget.
- Fall in love again every day. Kiss her in taxis. Flirt with her at parties. Tell her she’s beautiful. Then tell her again.
- Never miss an anniversary or a birthday or a chance to make a memory. Memories may not seem important now, but one day they’ll be gold.
- Never give her a practical gift. If she really wants a Shop-Vac, let her pick it out herself.
- Go to church together, and pray every day for each other and your marriage.
- Pay your bills on time and make sure you each have a living will, a durable power of attorney and life insurance, lest, God forbid, you need them.
- Love her parents as your own, but don’t ask them for money. Never criticize her family or friends. On her birthday, send flowers to her mother with a note saying, “Thank you for giving birth to the love of my life.”
- Always listen to her heart. If you’re wrong, say you’re sorry; if you’re right, shut up.
- Don’t half-tie the knot; plan to stay married forever.
- Never go to bed mad; talk until you’re over it, or you forget why you were mad.
- Laugh together a lot. If you can laugh at yourselves, you’ll have plenty to laugh about.
- Never criticize, correct or interrupt her in public; try not to do it in private, either.
- Remember that people are the least lovable when they are most in need of love.
- Never fall for the myth of perfectionism; it’s a lie.
- When you don’t like each other, remember that you love each other; pray for the “good days” to return and they will.
- Tell the truth, only the truth, with great kindness.
- Kiss at least 10 seconds a day, all at once or spread out.
- Memorize all her favorite things and amaze her with how very well you know her.
- Examine your relationship as often as you change the oil in your car; keep steering it on a path you both want it to go.
- Be content with what you have materially, honest about where you are emotionally, and never stop growing spiritually.
- Never raise your voice unless you’re on fire. Whisper when you argue.
- Be both friends and lovers; in a blackout, light a candle, then make your own sparks.
- Finally, be an interesting person, lead your own life. But always save your best for each other. In the end, you will know you were better together than you ever could’ve been apart.