7 Ways To Stay Happy (All Year Long)
Hint: Treat every day as if it's Valentine's Day.
Ah, Valentine’s Day, the one annual holiday where couples-only need apply. It’s one thing to keep your Valentine happy in the short term. Expensive baubles and dinners will do that. For the long haul, however, more original techniques are required. Having taken the vow, everyone wants a long, loving and happy marriage, yet half of all marriages are destined to fail. As a 42 year old male Manhattanite who’s been with the same woman for 17 years, married 12 and had a child for 5 I think I have a few tricks to keep your mate happy. To whit:
1. Sex. Put out or get out. Marriage is, among other things, a convenient means of getting laid on a regular basis. Or it should be. Granted, the pelvic coals may dim a bit with time, but if they’re completely dark then Fix The Problem. Do it even if you don’t want to; and if you don’t want to, figure out why. A shrink, Viagra, porn, whips, chains, shopping, whatever it takes. If you’re too busy, put an entry in the calendar. Just tired? Get more sleep.
2. Kissing. Do it early, often and randomly. When you or the Missus leaves for work in the morning, give each other a kiss. Just had a fight over who forgot to make the coffee? Kiss anyway. There’s no better martial lubricant than a good smooch. As for the random part, I kiss my wife whenever she sneezes.
3. Flowers. Men, listen to me. Never, never buy flowers for birthdays, anniversaries or, most importantly, Valentine’s Day. If she expects floral delights and you fail to satisfy, you’re screwed. If you remember these occasions with flowers, she’s happy, but you’re just doing your job. Instead, give on a whim. Since it’s a surprise, there’s no possibility for disappointment. For The Big Day, save yourself the 60 bucks you’ll sink on a dozen American Beauties and FedEx her a couple of pieces of Stroehmann’s finest with a note telling her she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. She’ll love your originality and fiscal restraint. Women, just buy flowers. Guys do like them. Your man may feign embarrassment, but he’ll be warm and happy on the inside. 10 Simple Things Women Want
4. Shave. Women: shave the legs, the pits and anything else you dare. Keep in mind, if he wanted to hear the gentle rustle of armpit hair he’d have married a Wesleyan woman studies major. And he doesn’t care what French women do. You’re not French and we’re not in France. And guys: that weekend growth you’re sporting is only tolerated because you’re heading off to the Home Depot in the performance of your manly duties (fixing something). You don’t look suave and Latin, you look like a slob. And it chafes her inner thighs.
I agree - especially with #7, we were married 11 years before we got preggers, and not for lack of trying!!!! We have one 20 year old son, and raising him wasn't easy, but he turned out great - Eagle Scout, Accomplished Musician and "Fine" person! I think our pre-child days helped us determine what kind of family we wanted to be!!!! We were friends before kid, we were friends while raising kid and now we are friends of an adult kid! and now we can go back to 1-6 with GUSTO!
Yes, I agree with everything you wrote, very important points!
Some good thoughts here. I'm a marriage & family therapist who with my clients and in my soon to be released book, "A Short Guide to a Happy Marriage," encourages quickies, sleeping naked, and buying the biggest bed you can ...
I think, Joe, you and other guys might like to read my book, better yet, pick up a copy and read it with your significant other, over candlelight:
http://www.amazon.com/Short-Guide-Happy-Marriage-Long-Lasting/dp/1604330...
My husband doesn't wear his ring to work because he say he don't want to damage it, we are nursing assistants. He also don't wear it when we've had an arguement. Right now we have had troubles inall areas. But, we are dealing, I say let's work on it; move on and start anew, he can't let go an want's to seperate to soul search. Need advice, I want my marriage and trying not to give up.
I have agirl friend whom ilove so much but we have done sex since she keeps on telling me that her mother is so aggressive that cannot allow her to pay me avisit.She is 100km away from me and i always find it very sad for me when she tells me that.What can i do to her or her mother so that i can make my girl friend to be neer me always?She did her form four last year and that she is waiting for her results this month on 28th.With me i'm working with the kenya national audit office.I'm stranded on what to do next.
