Marriage Tips for the Happy Couple

Congratulations! You will soon be husband and wife! What an exciting new chapter in your lives! I'm writing this hub as a gift to you. It's my way of sharing the knowledge and wisdom I've learned over the years.

I offer meaningful advice. It's kind of off the wall. It's not your ordinary type of teachings. Take it with a grain of salt. Learn from it. Laugh with it. Appreciate it. It's your choice.

Your life together will have many twists and turns. It's okay to miss a turn every now and again, it's part of your path. It's meant to be.

Decisions will have to be made. Some will need to be made quickly, some you will have time for.

WWSD... It's simple, it's my way or the highway, no ifs, ends or buts. OK, I do allow room for flexibility I'm not that difficult. We all live and learn.

Relationships are teamwork. One partner can't hold down the fort solo. It's together forever. You jump, I jump. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. No one person has the upper hand. It's 50/50. WWSD....pretend it's 50/50 but on my planet it actually differs since that's how I roll. To each his own planet. You'll know the correct percentage once you've settled in.

If the occasion should rise that you screw up....play dumb. WWSD....The dumber the better and you will have one heck of a story to share with others. Sure you might be called an idiot behind your back BUT if this gets you out of a mess than more power to the idiot in you! You'll learn to ignore insults over time.

If you should happen to ever get pulled over by a cop for a traffic violation....FLIRT no matter the sexual gender, hey you never know! WWSD.... has been there, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Life's short. It goes by quickly. With a blink of an eye your day will be over, followed by the week etc..... Take one day at a time and cherish the moment. WWSD ... "Be Here Now" as much as possible. Focus on today and not tomorrow.

Did you burn dinner again? WWSD... pretend it's a unique seasoning and savor the new found flavor! Who knows maybe you can market it or maybe just have take out restaurants on speed dial.

You might contemplate being someone you're not just to fit in. You might find yourself becoming like the Jones'. WWSD... ANTI-Joneser! ANTI-Wannabe! Do the total opposite of the Jones'! Be unique, be yourself. Imagine if we all lived in a world filled with Jonesers...what a dull world that would be.

Decision making can be tedious and cause petty arguments! WWSD .... prepare a list of the pros and cons and move forward. Arguing is a waste of time and no good really comes out of it except for.... well, that's another story. WWSD ... I have no problem being corrected when I am actually WRONG which happens on occasion.

YES honesty is the best policy. JUST in case there is a slip-up: WWSD ... blame it on the voices in your head. Works like a charm! You'll be amazed at how many voices we could actually have!!

Always remember with each emotion you feel, and each event you experience, you grow. Accept the moment whether happy or sad and learn from it. WWSD ... dust yourself off and move on after adjusting to the change.

You don't have to believe everything you think. WWSD ... ask for advice and contemplate whether your thinking made any sense. Chances are it might have or it could be those voices again. They can sneak up on you when you least expect it!

One of my favorite quotes is: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" WWSD.... I added a bit of a twist on the original. "Do unto others as others do unto you." It seems to work for me.

Laugh! Laugh! Laugh! Laugh some more! Get the point yet? WWSD ... laugh until your face hurts or your belly aches. BONUS: Laughing burns calories. Eating chocolate while watching your favorite sitcom is a guilty pleasure.

Always have a shoulder and ear available. We all have times when we need to vent. WWSD ... LISTEN and don't always think you have to be a problem solver. HEAR and don't turn it around about you unless you think that direction would be useful. FEEL their pain or excitement. (See above "do unto others....")

There are only two kinds of plans. Plans that won't work and plans that might work. WWSD...you are on your own with this one, use your best judgement...plans and I seem to clash but it seems to work for some.

An overinflated ego has NO PLACE in today's society. WWSD....I talk to people, not at or down to. Don't offer information unless it's requested. Nobody cares for a know-it-all. Be yourself.

Common sense is mandatory in today's society! WWSD...USE IT wisely! SHARE IT frequently! TEACH IT kindly! We are all capable of having it, there are just many people who have no idea it exists.

Always remember your mother. WWSD ... My mother has passed away but I knew she brought me into this world and that she could take me out! I never forgot to call and visit her as much as possible. No matter the cost or lack of time due to busy schedules I always made sure my mother knew she was a vital part of my life. There is no other love than a mother's love.

Let's not forget the sweet, innocent, bundles of joy that will enrich your lives and forever change you. WWSD... Have a good time making grandbabies!

The most important gifts you can give are your love, time, and attention. WWSD ... Slow down, take time to smile & enjoy your loved ones. Always be "True to You."

You are now blessed with my advice to you, it comes from the heart. While on life's journey and faced with a dilemma ask yourself "WWSD" and immediately proceed with caution! May you live happily ever after!

You've accomplished much in the past three years, except for producing a grandbaby. If you remember you both were married the same time as Prince William and Kate, also Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. Prince William and Kate beat y'all to the baby department. Nonetheless I'm proud of you!

You've both graduated college and enjoyed living in Gainesville. Yes, I know I never did get a chance to visit, but I do appreciate all the times you came to visit us.

Michelle, you have been a successful kindergarten teacher after graduating from UCF. I truly enjoyed hearing your stories of the little rugrats, you treated your students like they were your own. I thought that being around kids would entice you to give me a grandbaby sooner. I guess, I guessed wrong. Yes, I know between Dave and I we already have six grandchildren, but I always liked the number 7.

Congrats David on achieving your Masters at UF. Also for snagging the job at Nielsen! Move over Bill Gates, Stoker is on the move.

You lived in Colorado for a summer, traveled to Europe, took a couple of cruises, your photography business is booming. I think I might want to be like you when I grow up. If I shall ever grow up. Which is doubtful.

Tampa, Florida is next up on your journey. Well, first comes your cruise to Alaska. Let me know if you could see Russia from your porthole!

Wishing you many more years of wedded bliss. I'm thinking the name Sean would be good for a boy, Christina for a girl. Well, whenever you get around to the baby dept.