Who is in a marriage that makes them happy?

[prolesunited]

Equal time for happy couples. :-)

What makes it work? What was your most important lesson? What do you like best?

[WestHoustonDem]

1. I'm happlily divorced. It works great

[Sleepysage]

2. 6 years and we're still newlyweds

I don't know what makes it work. Generally, I think most people I know shouldn't get married. :-)

[tjdee]

6. I agree with this.

There seems to be a pervasive feeling that if you are dating someone and you're over 30, you should be considering marrying them. And people figure gee, we've been dating for awhile, we might as well get married.

I think it has to do with the feeling that true love doesn't exist. People don't hold out for it any more.

[sadinred]

3. kind of happy...most of the time.

My most important lesson was to stand up for myself!!!!! To say "screw you even if you are my husband". Things are much better since I learned that.
Are you getting married?

[salinen]

4. My wife and I

live in separate places, not too far from each other. We are still in love and have loads of fun, without the daily grind. I recommend this before divorce.

[graywarrior]

5. I might be. I'd have to check with him.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. As far as I know, we are doing pretty good. :^)

------------------------------------------------------
Fight the fraud; fund the recount!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[cally]

8. My marriage makes me happy

We have been married for 22 + years. Some of those years have been difficult but I'm happy in my marriage. "happy" just doesn't describe the connectedness and joy I get from my marriage. It goes so far beyond being happy. We got together when I was 20. We matured together. We are different and yet the same

[illini]

9. Almost five years and two children later and I'm still happy.

NT

[Anarcho-Socialist]

10. I've been married for only over 6 months

We've known each other for only 4 years. Everything is going wonderfully and long may it continue.

I'm probably too much of a newbie to offer much advice, but I'll definitely say "negotiation" is what makes it work for us.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

11. Yes, I dobut I would be alive had I not married my wife 15

years ago.
i certainly would not have a house and two fine children.

[greenman3610]

12. 25 years married

and I feel it's impossible to really answer the
question if one would be better or worse..
what I do know is that my connection to
my family is the primary meaningful reality
of my life...

[Maat]

17. Happily married for 20 years, together for 27!

But I agree that 'happy' doesn't describe the commitment we feel to each other. Humor and commitment = the most important things for a relationship to have, I think.

And, I do think giving each other space ('alone' time) is really important. Just because we have different interests/careers/hobbies. There's plenty to discuss in the jacuzzi every night.

[jbane]

14. 12 years, great marriage...

I want to be more like my wife, she inspires me to be a better man.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

13. Very happy here.

Been married 13 years next month.

What makes it work? Well we've gone to marriage counseling three times, once for four months. That helped a LOT.

I've had to kick his ass a few times (metaphorically speaking) and he's had to do the same to me (again, metaphorically speaking).

What do I like best about being married?

Seriously, I wouldn't know any different by now. I met him when I was 19, married him 17 months later. I'm almost 34 now. I've been married most of my short life. Um......I have a stable sex life? ROFL!

No, seriously, I guess I like best that he is such a good, loving man and he is so devoted to me and our daughter. It's a nice feeling.

[BigMcLargehuge]

15. 9 years this september, very happy

[Aristus]

16. Coming up on six years, and we adore each other.

Still hot for each other, too. :evilgrin: We're best friends; that helps a lot. She loves me just the way I am, but she never stops hoping I'll change. :D

We tolerate each other's outside attractions. She gets to go ga-ga over Denzel Washington and Brendan Fraser, and I get to moon over Salma Hayek and Elizabeth Hurley. But we go to bed with one another. Marriage is good.

[Philostopher]

18. Six years here.

Second marriage -- the first one lasted eight years before it 'ran aground,' and because my ex and I get along okay, I won't go into the reasons it foundered.

Second hubby and I got to be good friends before we started up a romance, we were both in our early 30s. I think the friendship is very important -- and for both of us, sharing cultural, social and political ideals is important. I know it isn't for everybody, some people like being with someone who's a lot different. We both happen to like the comfort of reliability and for us, the ease of our shared goals.


Edit -- I'm terribly embarrassed -- this was actually six years! Ack! Time flies when you're having fun, I guess.

[Upfront]

19. Married 44 Years

You need to be able to laugh together, and at your self.

[no name no slogan]

20. Married 8+ years

Most important thing: trust.

Without trust, nothing lasts. If you cannot completely trust the person you're with, you will NEVER be happy.

[Wapsie B]

21. I envy all of you.

I really do.

[Liberaltarian]

22. No kids and lotsa equity makes dick & jane happy.

My wife and I are completely happy- we met and married a dozen years ago in our early 30's...we have no children, and intend to keep it that way.
we lucked out by buying a house that has more than tripled in value over the past 8 years. we have no credit card debt, and no car loan

every couple we know that has kids are having/have had MAJOR problems- usually money related.