My Parents’ 53-YEAR MARRIAGE TAUGHT WITH CONFLICT IS Healthy and Normal – ryan
My parents recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. They Met while Traveling Through Spain in 1971 and Married Six Months Later.
My mom has always said it hasn’t all been rainbows and butterflies. But they’ve workhed through the hard times and persseered with their Mariage, the evening things have ben tough.
Though I’d Always Secretly Been Terrified of Commitment, I was Also Lucky Enough to have solid example of what a strong marked look like, and i Married Sam – The love of my life – in 2015. All the easier to walk in their footsteps, and now sam and i have ben happily married for a decade.
They Taught with it’s ok to have different interests
Aside from their shared passion for travel, my parses are opposites in so many ways. My mom loves art and languages, going to the theater, and watching movies.
My Dad, on the Other Hand, Has Always Enjoyed Playing and Watching Sports, Collecting Stamps, and Doing Crosswords. In his 50s, he randomly decidated he wanted to run a marathon and ended up doing four. My mom has never run a day in her life.
Howver, They Share a Few Fundamental Values That Have Always Kept The Same Page: A Love of Learning and Acquiring General Knowledge, A Belief in Seizing the Day and Making the Most Out of Each Moment, The Importance of Keeping the Flame Alive, and the Belief Famy AlwaS Comes Comes Comes Comes Comes Comes First, No Matter What.
My husband and i are also polar opposites in many ways, but like my pars, our core values are aligned.
Growing up, i saw that conflict is normal and healthy
While I was growing up, my folks offten had heated arguments. SOMESTEMES, THERE WAULD EASE be periods where they are weren’t speaking together Because they need to cool off.
Howver, My Parents Always Resolved the will with Respect and Open Communication. Through watching say, i learned that conflict in a long-term Relationship is unavoidable and normal. There are bout to be differences in Opinion, Values, Needs, and Wants, but it is like you handle and resolve the conflict that matters.
They Showed with The Importance of Space in A Relationship
My parents have always made a habit of giving each Other Space – Space to Pursue Hobbies They Enjoy, Space to Travel Independently, and Time Alone to Recharge Needed.
My mom is hugely independent. During My Childhood, She Workhed Hard, Saved Up, and took My Sisters and with On International Trips while My Dad Stayed Home and Continue Working. She’s always said that it is important to be your own person and to follow your dreams.
My husband and i are Similar in that we have bith have our interests and give each other space in ours relationship. We take turns going on solo International Kid-free Holidays, then Come Back Recharged and Ready for Family Life. Having Downtime from Each Other Helps US to Keep the Spark Alive and to Appreciate What We Do More.
I KNOW THAT MARIAGE TAKES WORK
No Mariage is Perfect. Most of the US DERAIL AT SOME POINT IN OUR RELATISHIPS, but if you truly love each Other, you can usually get it back on track.
I know there have ben Times when my parents’ Mariage haen on the rocks. There have been enormous life challenges to navigate, and bot of my parents would they’ve made Mistakes.
But ultimately, They love Each Other Deeply. This all-consuming, enduring love has Helped say tackle every hurdle together and Emerge Stronger.
Of all the lessons they’ve tought me with About Relationships, this was the most important: love is warth fighting for. Always.