Secret of a Lasting Marriage

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

12 Jan 2009 03:55 PM

Want to know the secret of a lasting marriage? I'm guessing you do if you're here. Sydney and Betty Cooper, an Australian couple who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary recently had differing views about how to achieve this milestone.

Sydney Cooper said, 'the secret was more on Betty's part than mine.' But then he went on to add these wise words, 'talk things over before making decisions, try a little tenderness and work as a team.'

The thing that struck Betty initially, from the time she first met Sydney, was his 'thoughtfulness,' and 'courtesy. Thoughtfulness and courtesy carry over into marriage. It seems to me they are prime qualities in a lasting marriage. That means considering the other person and the things they like to do. Of course it's also important to talk things over before making decision. It is something Mick and I have always done.

When Mick and I play tennis, I'd rather play with him than against him. Because we've played together a lot, I know what he's likely to do, which shots he will go for and which he won't. He's the same with me. We're a team and we play as a team. I've played with others who might be stronger players and not done as well. Similarly he's played with others stronger than me, but not done as well. I'd suggest we play better together because we have an understanding of each other. It's the same in marriage. We have an understanding of each other and work together to keep our marriage working well.

Too often I see a couple who may as well be living individual lives because they insist always on their rights rather than thinking about their partner.

Maybe Sydney and Betty's ideas as to how to have a lasting marriage are not so far apart because it seems each one is always thoughtful and considerate of the other and they are both working as a team.

Please visit these related blogs

7 Tips for a Good Marriage

How Not to Fight

Who Needs to Change?

Have Fun Together

Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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