Some Secrets to a Long �semi-happy' Marriage

People often ask me how is it that my husband and I have lasted in our relationship as long as we have. We have been together for 19 years now and will have been married for 19 years this upcoming August (2005). Secrets, they say, what are your secrets?
Well, honestly there are no �secrets' per say but there are some guidelines that couples can follow to help them stay together longer and hopefully happier. Let's look at a few of these �secrets':

First, love each other, completely. Love each other for all of their faults, creaks, crevices, bumps and dirt, maintenance and crankiness, for everything. Know that you are both on the same track in life. If you do not know you are, you need to sit down and talk to find out why. You may not always see eye to eye and that is fine. In fact that is great! It keeps some spontaneity in your lives, some challenge, something that you can work with, work through, and a goal of complete understanding of the one whom you love. This leads us to the next �secret'…
Love unconditionally. Everyone makes mistakes and does things they regret, or says things they regret. You need to know that if you are in it for the long haul, you both will need to forgive and let it go several times in your life. Some times forgiving is the hardest part and forgetting is never completely done, BUT, those thoughts can be put firmly in their place in the back of your memory that you no longer feel the need to think about them. It may take some time for both, but they can be done. Can you forgive cheating, lying, drinking, etc. The answers are a resounding YES! But again, these things take time. Do not expect that overnight you will feel different.

This leads me to the next �secret'…