Married

Rita Rudner once said, “I love being married.  It’s so great to find someone you want to annoy the rest of your life.”  Someone else said, “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.”

Today is the 42nd anniversary of the day I stood before a pastor beside my beautiful bride and said “I do” to the question, “Do you take Debbie to be your lawfully wedded wife?  Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”

Being married, staying married for 42 years ain’t easy.  I’ve had to put up with a lot. . .yeah, right.  It’s true.  I’ve had to put up with a woman who loves me in spite of me, a beautiful Christian lady who has chosen to look past all my inconsistencies and continue to love me.  I have to put up with smiles and hugs, meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  I have to put up with a gal who works her butt off. . .literally. . .in the gym so she can stay healthy and continue to walk beside me.  See, I told you, I have to put up with a lot.

I noticed a post on Facebook this morning from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law who celebrated their 30th anniversary yesterday.  My son and his wife left on a cruise yesterday to celebrate 15 years of marriage.  And I’m still putting up with a lot.  For the next couple of days, Debbie and I have to put up with four of the sweetest grandkids in the world.  We have to go swimming with them, watch movies with them, go out to eat with them, get them dressed, watch them grow and all the other things that grandparents have to put up with.

What’s the best thing about being married for a long time?  Being married for a long time!