I have the privilege of being friends with some of the most amazing women in the world.  Some of have been in my life for thirty years; some only a fraction of that time.  They are the ones that I raise a glass of wine with in celebration or lean on when things aren’t going quite so well.  I think that as our lives get busy, we tend to focus too much inwardly, neglecting those who mean so much to us.  But we all have friends for a reason – to support us through and to celebrate with us all of life’s joys and sorrows.  So, as I prepare to take this next huge step in my life, I wanted to hear from these incredible women their take on marriage and what makes one successful.  We spend months preparing for one day when, truly, it’s the rest of our lives that is important.

Right before the holidays, I contacted a number of these women and ask them, “What is your best marriage advice – something that was shared with you, or something that you learned along the way.”  And here are some of their responses:

• We  use  please and thank you (most times) and  it really does show as far as respecting each other.
• My best advice:  Hide the crazy for as long as you can! (ha-ha!  Inside joke.  Love you, M.S.!)
• When you get into a heated argument, take off all of your clothes.  Its hard to be mad at someone when you are naked.
• Remember there’s no ‘I’ in team….if you don’t want the train to jump the track, make sure the engine and caboose are headed in the right direction.
• I remember someone telling me to always introduce ’D’ a my first husband, hoping it would keep him in line.  Its worked for the last 10 years.
• Be careful not to lose yourself.
• Pick your battles.  What’s more important – folding the towels your way, or him actually folding the towels?
• Couples who play together, pray together, and praise each other – stay together!
• Don’t expect you or Steve to change once there is a ring on your fingers… its just the way it is now, just a lot more messy to get out of!
• We try not to take advantage of each other, it can be easy to do because you know your husband will always be there no matter what…. just don’t abuse that “no matter what part”…
• Enjoy and appreciate each other.  Everyday.

So let me ask you, dear readers.  What advice do you have for those of us who are about to say, “I do.”?

How can we become like them one day?