51 years ago today . . . .

[bedbugbilly]

I stood at the altar and watched my beautiful bride walk down the aisle where she joined me as we pledged "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, through sickness and health. till death do us part" in the presence of family and friends and the presence of God. As I looked over at my wife this morning, I still see my beautiful bride and I wonder where the years went as they just seem to have gone by so quickly. We've been through a lot - but then no different than any other couple - but we've always done so side by side and we both have always honored those vows we promised each other so many years ago.

It's easy to look back and reflect and realize that marriage is like a job . . . . you have to work at it and so does your partner . . . . and never stop working at it. But,long ago, I also learned that the secret to a successful marriage is really pretty simple . . . . if you put your partner's needs above and before your own and she does the same and everyday, with kind words, a good hug and kiss and you let them know they are the most important thing in your life . . . . well, it just seems to me that it's pretty hard not to have a great marriage.

When a person is young, they don't "get it" . . . at least most of us didn't. Maybe not this way for everyone, but for me as "I've gotten old", the material things mean nothing. I've seen and experienced too many things in this life not to know and believe in the things that truly are important and the most important thing in my life is that beautiful bride that walked down the aisle in that small town church to join hands with me for a lifetime 51 years ago today. There are no guarantees in life and none of us knows how many "tomorrows" we have. I pray that there are many, but if not, I will leave this world and my hope would be that my last thought will be of my "bride" and that I was one of the luckiest guys there ever was.

[John Guedry]

I miss not having a "like" button. Everything you said is TRUE . We got a little head start on ya'll but it is just the way we have tried to do ourselves.

[Wheelguns 1961]

Congratulations! You have found true happiness!

[CastingFool]

Congrats, that's quite a milestone, something a lot of folks nowadays don't reach.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

You're a wise man. December will be our 54th.

DG

[HWooldridge]

Congratulations! We hit 44 years in May.

[Txcowboy52]

Congratulations! Your words are wise , something every young couple should read and take to heart . Wishing you many more happy and blessed years.

[hoodat]

If at least one person gives more than their fair share, a marriage can work.

If both people give more than their fair share, a marriage WILL work, and will be very happy. jd

[NSB]

Congratulations. I had my 54th in Feb.

[Electrod47]

Congratulations BedBug, At least you got it right the first time. I got it right the first time and BLEW IT. Thank God I was able to get her back after 45 years. 3 marriages all waking nightmares...even my old grey haired daddy told me "Are you Nuts"...4th marriage to the first girl I ever kissed, 13 years on now. I thank God everyday that she will be the last girl I kiss.

[blackthorn]

Great post BedBug! Gail and I will hit 33 years together on Sept 25/23. Second time around for both of us but we got it right this time! She had 25 years with her first husband and I had 32 with my first wife. I got a great deal this time!!! Congratulations, we hope you and your bride get another 51 years together!!

[Alex_4x4]

2 bedbugbilly

Congratulations!

You have found a happy fairway in your life.

[Wag]

Congrats!

--Wag--

[gmsharps]

Congratulations. My wife and will celebrate our 54th on Christmas Eve

Gmsharps

[Texas by God]

Happy Anniversary to you both!


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[Handloader109]

Happy anniversary, we're way behind you guys. Only 42 and counting. Wow, where does the time go.

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[Murphy]

Happy Anniversary to the two of you!

Murphy

[WILCO]

Congrats!

--Wag--

What he said!

[MrWolf]

Congrats and you are very fortunate that you understood how to make it work. We had about 30 years in when I got hurt and found out what the real story was. Since divorced. Now with a girl that was also divorced and we both realize what you have discovered. Can honestly say I am extremely happy these last four and a half years, even being disabled with a messed up back. Good luck sir.
Ron

[Pb Burner]

Congratulations and happy anniversary!

[725]

So much to cherish and honor when a couple commits to each other. Congrats!

[WRideout]

Being a husband is an office, kind of like being elected. With the privileges come responsibilities.

Wayne

PS: Congratulations!

[shooterg]

Congrats - will try to catch up with ya - 38 and counting !

[lightman]

Happy Anniversary and congratulations to both of you!

We will have our 48th in a few months. I just got Her home from 82 days in the hospital. She had a perforated colon, internal bleeding, fluid in the lungs and around the heart and Her heart was going in and out of afib. There were a few times that when I visited that I didn't ever expect to see Her again!

[pworley1]

Congratulations!!

[smoked turkey]

Congratulations to you both BBB. I also want an "I Like" button for your original post. You speak as a man with wisdom and lots of experience. We also have a good handle on this marriage idea. It will be 56 for us one week from today. She is more beautiful now than she was at 14 when I first saw her. She was a knockout then!
Stan aka smoked turkey

[dverna]

You are a wise man and partnered with a wise woman

The new “me” generation has a lot to learn…but they will not. They know it all.

I have heard it said if each partner gives 75%, things will work out.

[Bmi48219]

Jim, your wife deserves recognition. It takes some doing but a RC priest can explain how to start the process of canonization to sainthood. My own spouse is halfway there.

Happy Anniversary to both of you!