I was going to delay-post this and have it show up on the 9th.  For undisclosed reasons which certain people already know, I’m going to release it now.

It’s a happy 32 years on the 9th of this month for my MIL and FIL.  I also owe my FIL an article from way back, and MIL’s birthday is this week too.  I thought a good way capture all this at once is with a little research paper on the things that have enabled the longevity of marriages throughout the ages.  Many of these are things I’ve encountered in the years of my own marriage.

1. Crises and blessings are best experienced with someone you know and trust.
2. Puzzles go better with two who don’t mind bumping into each other.
3. Beauty lasts forever when you’re loved for life.
4. Change happens, sometimes it stinks, too.  Isn’t it nice to have one thing still the same?
5. Children learn love and partnership in only one setting.
6. You can’t fanny-pat just anybody.
7. Cooking treats for someone who will give you an honest review.  Guests just can’t be trusted.
8. Could there be a better goal in life than to care for someone in all aspects of their lives for the entirety of their lives?
9. Cross-country treks and the sight of God’s mighty creation are things to share.  Memories are better in stereo.
10. Two words:  “Daddy!  Mommy!”
11. Dinner alone gets lonely.
12. Feminine and masculine are real in marriage.
13. Sappy movies are best endured watched while snuggled up in pairs.
14. From the day we stand at the altar, God is with us in marriage, backing us up.  Matthew 18:20.
15. Marriage is fundamental in the concept of the church.  Ephesians 5.
16. Without husbands and wives, the flower arrangement industry would crumble.
17. You can’t just walk up to anybody and say nonsensical mushy stuff whenever you want.
18. Making eye contact.
19. Having learned 32 years of how it works makes for reputable advice to others.
20. Euchre is best battled out with married couples.
21. A house with one occupant is dreadfully silent.
22. It’s an effective means of combating immorality.  1 Corinthians 7:2.
23. Life-long conversation with someone who knows you better every day can be nothing but productive.
24. Makes bathtime so much fun.
25. Man is created in God’s image. God is love. There is no greater exercise of  love than through marriage.
26. Nothing is so good as coming home to someone who has been waiting for you.
27. Two more words: “Grandma!  Grandpa!”
28. Other people would be rather worried if you gave THEM little presents every day.
29. A pair of spines are better than one.
30. God set marriage up. Genesis 2:18-24
31. Having a partner in trials has doubled resources to effectively deal with them.
32. Prayer is exponentially enhanced when two sets of hearts and minds are pleading.
33. A king sized bed has only two realistic purposes.  Compensating for lack of other furniture and…
34. Somebody has to be around to make sense of what you’re trying to think through.
35. Friends and families move around for jobs, location and God’s direction.  Husbands and wives remain.
36. Touching.
37. Benefits include woodwork and Corona with a SIL.
38. Strangers are not inherently worthy of trust.  Three decades of intimacy guarantee.
39. Sunrise and mussed hair in your face coincide with joy.
40. You can’t just walk up to anybody and kiss ‘em whenever you see ‘em.
41. Sympathy isn’t easy to order over the phone.  In-home care by dedicated professionals is preferred.
42. Too many people claim their wedding day was the happiest day of their lives, this must mean something.
43. Kissing is awesome.
44. When you want to go your own way, God set up a pretty good alignment system: your significant other.
45. Who better to stay up with into the wee hours talking about nothing in particular?
46. Sleeping with teddy bears is for kids; the concept behind this, however, is universal and spans all ages.
47. Wuv.  Twoo Wuv.  Mawwage is what bwings us togevvah today.
48. Talking to yourself in public is certain to result in funny looks.  A good wife gives you funny looks regardless how sane you are.
49. Yet another two words:  “Love you.”
50. If I had written this with my Wife here, I would have been informed, prior to publishing, that I had written 39 42 50 items, which doesn’t match the title of this article.

Mom, Dad, I thank you for the gift of your daughter. Our marriage is a result of yours. May you enjoy many more years together, loving each other, facing the challenges of life together, serving our Lord together. You are in our thoughts and prayers.