My husband, Danny, and I celebrated our 25th anniversary on October 10th. Many have asked, “What’s your secret to a happy marriage?” Here are my Top Ten Secrets!
Secret #1:
You have to be willing to go the extra mile.
I went one thousand miles when moving from Wisconsin to Colorado after our wedding. Danny is the most romantic guy around. He asked me to marry him at the top of the gondola in Aspen after giving me nine plastic rings over the weekend. He continues to surprise me. “Gasp!”
Secret #2:
He’s my best friend and I don’t keep secrets from him.
I can tell him anything, but I can also read his mind when it’s screaming, “That is way too much information, Susie. Sheesh!”
Secret #3.
I can trust him with anything.
But it took years to teach him not to eat the last piece of cake without asking me to split it first. He has also led me on some wild adventures without considering the risks. His faith in me gave me confidence. *gulp*
Secret #4.
We have common interests.
I had skied back in Wisconsin but had to learn to keep up in Colorado. We both love outdoor adventures. Our anniversary is being celebrated for a week this year in California. We both agree that the best kind of adventure includes travel!
Secret #5:
Appreciate the differences.
I am philosophical and love to yammer on about life while navel-gazing. I can tell when he has hit the glaze-over stage. My first clue is when he stares at me blankly and hasn’t said anything for over a half an hour. Yes, I occasionally take a breath.
He loves business and has learned to talk fast since I have about three minutes before my mind wanders off. “Wow, look at that butterfly. What? Sure, I was listening.”
Secret #6.
He’s my super fan.
When I first started blogging, he printed out my posts and kept them in a binder. He has total belief in me which inspired Who’s In Your Corner?
We support each other’s hopes and dreams and pick each other up after every disappointment. Often, when I make a mistake, he says, “Aww, that could happen to anyone.”
Secret #7:
Apologize when mistakes are made.
This one is tricky especially since I am always right. Kidding! I think it has more to do with letting things go and developing amnesia.
Secret #8:
We have given up trying to change accept each other for who we are.
He has seen me at my best and worst and still loves me. Who could ask for more?
Secret #9:
We have the same beliefs and shared dreams for a future together.
In Telluride 25 years ago, I told him my invisible punch list of what I was looking for in a relationship. He agreed with almost everything. He wasn’t so sure about dogs, but our third, Roxy, is his favorite by far.
He has been completely involved in raising our children. They love to talk business with him, thank the Lord! (See Secret #5)
Secret #10:
The most important factor in having a successful marriage is …..
You gotta have a sense of humor.
We laugh all the time; at ourselves and each other.
When I was pregnant, he used to sing, “Roly Poly, Daddy’s little fatty!” Okay, so I didn’t always find that amusing, but looking back it was funny, kinda.
He’s my muse and in almost every one of my posts. I wrote, KO’d by Karma, after being kicked in the butt for laughing at him, but I learned my lesson, well, not quite yet.
Standing jokes:
We attended an endless mass this summer that included a wedding of some random young couple. The priest said, “Back in the day, many didn’t see their 40th birthday so ‘til death do us part was no big deal. Nowadays, many live to be one hundred years old. You could easily be married for seventy-five years! Seventy-five years! That’s a death sentence for some people.”
While the congregation laughed and the newlyweds looked concerned, Danny looked at me and said, “Fifty more years!”
Here’s a virtual toast to our Wild Ride!
Our 30th wedding anniversary is coming soon!
Click for more of the Wild Ride.
Related posts:
I think you and Danny are marriage prodigies. My parents were, too. Then, it skipped a generation. Go figure. Back to you guys, once again, happy 25th!
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Thanks so much V! My parents have been married for 55 years! I think there were many who gave it one year! 🙂
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happy anniversary and what a happy post!
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Thank you! I had to share. Danny is a great guy!
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Great post and insights congratulations! My wife and i chuckled at a few of your points and explanations!
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I am so glad that you shared it! I keep thinking of funny examples! 🙂
Thanks so much!
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Happy anniversary, Susie! And thank you for the tips. It’s wonderful to be let in on the secrets to a successful marriage.
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Well they worked for us and after a couple of days I still wouldn’t add or subtract anything!
Thank you!
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Keep up the good work, you two!
Very beautiful post, Susie.
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Thanks Hook! I think you know all about these tips!
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Happy anniversary, Susie! I was a late bloomer marrying too — at 46. But it was well worth the wait. Can’t even imagine 25, but I’ve already found your secrets to be so true!
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I am so glad that they hit home for you! I just threw them out there and was so happy with the response. I guess it must be universal!
Congratulations to you too!
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Where’s the “Celebrate” song? 😉 Congratulations on the anniversary! Absolutely, lovely post! Love the ten things.
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Thanks Debra! We have been having a blast, but haven’t danced yet….looking forward to seeing you!
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Good post.
Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for stopping by!
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What a sweet post Susie! Happy anniversary to you and your super fan. 🙂
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Thanks Coleen! He sure is my super fan!
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I am so, so late to this party, but I’m glad I made it! You and Danny are awesome. 100% pure awesome covered in chocolate. You have the best tips, ever. Laughing, accepting each other, more laughing, being supportive, et al is spot on.
Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary! You’ll have even more fun for the next 50!
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Thanks so much Tameri! I am glad you stopped by and can relate!
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What an amazing super fan! I love that he printed out those posts for you… that’s Love. Much wisdom there – and I see why you put humour as the last point – 75 years?! You’d want to be laughing 🙂
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Definitely! Laughter gets a person through everything..
Thanks so much Alarna!
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Congrats Susie..and here is to many many more years of happiness togetherness and fun 🙂
lovely secrets and got to tell you these are excellent tips for any new couple looking for some…
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Oh Thanks Soma! We have a lot of fun together! I am glad that you enjoyed my little secrets!
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You and Danny are a wonderful couple who compliment each other extremely well! Love you both! Really impressed he printed your blogs. I’m not sure if Jerry even knows I write one, let alone read them! (He’s cool in many other ways though!) See you soon!! xo, jan
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Awww! Thanks Jan and I think that you and Jerry are perfect together too. Can’t wait to see you! xo Susie
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Dude. This is awesome. I love it! Congratulations on the big 25. I wish I could last this long. Thanks so much for the pointers I’m definitely going to need them. I always like to hear pointers from couples living up the years. Woo-hoo! Congrats and hope you’re enjoying California. 🙂
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Thanks Guat!
It has been a wild ride with a lot more ups than downs!
🙂 Love it in California!
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Reblogged this on Atlantamomofthree and commented:
This is such a great list of marriage secrets. The author seems genuinely happy and her secrets explain why!
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this is a great post and I find many of your truths to resonate with my marriage as well! Great stuff SL 🙂 Best to Danny!
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Thanks Bliss! I will pass it along to Danny!
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Susie, I am doing a show on ‘marriage longevity’ (upcoming episode of The Journey). I plan on quoting from your 10 Little Secrets. Trusting you have no objections. Kindly let me know. Thanks.
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Absodanglutely! Quote away and if you have any questions, email me at susielindau@gmail.com
Thanks Neville!
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You’re awesome. It’s airing tonight at 8PM Central on The Journey Your Radio Show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-journey
The episode is titled: The Zada Secret To A Healthy Long Lasting Relationship. Enjoy. Thanks mucho-mucho.
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Very cool! Thanks so much Neville! I will be listening!
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28 years now and still best friends and lovers. Your ten are spot on! Trust, support, humour, willing to move to the opposite side of the world, willing to spend 9 months apart to further each others career and education. It was like you were describing our marriage. Willing to back down and admit being wrong, that’s another important one.
Best regards!
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Thanks so much! It really doesn’t seem like 25 years.
You must have heard Neville’s interview, but those two couple’s weren’t Danny and me. He learned to fold the towels after the second year of marriage. Hahaha! Neville read my 10 Little Secrets. I was thrilled to be included in the interview!
Thanks so much for coming by! I hope you’ll stop again!
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What a beautiful lovely story. Happy Anniversary (belated) and may you both stay healthy to celebrate the next 50!!!!!!! Love your sense of humour. Ciao, Carina
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Thanks so much Carina! We hope to be around and in the meantime are really enjoying the adventure!
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True love for 25 years! Toast! Thanx for the advice 🙂
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Thank you! They were the first things that popped into my head. Humor goes a long way!
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