The SECRET to a HaPpY Marriage!

by Becky Mackintosh

Again and again I  have been asked What’s the SECRET to a happy marriage?   I paused – contemplating the REAL answer.

Then wrote this ….

Growing up in the 60’s, 70’s and even into the 80’s I knew only a handful of people who were divorced. Today unfortunately, that number is much higher and some are my dearest friends and amongst the most wonderful people I know who have been through some really tough stuff. It wasn’t the ending they imagined, but the right ending to a new beginning.

Experience and life has shown me that no marriage or person is perfect, that’s part of the learning and growing process. But to go through life’s challenges with someone you love by your side makes life sweeter.

SooooOooo… you are married or thinking about getting married and want to know….

What’s the SECRET to a HaPpY marriage?

Here’s what I have seen and experienced to be the REAL secret behind a happy marriage…

Marriage is a two-way partnership of Respect, Love, Integrity, Loyalty, Honesty, Forgiveness, Compassion, Empathy, Trust, Communication and Commitment!

When any of those virtues are tarnished, the relationships suffer – some beyond repair.

“Marriage is not for wimps or the selfish.  Marriage is NOT 50 – 50.  Marriage is 100 – 100.” 

I married a man that had all the qualities on my “must have” list and I was confident that we would be able to work through any challenges that came our way.  And guess what? I was RIGHT! It hasn’t been smooth sailing, but so far we are 100% in getting through the challenges that life brings, including raising 7 children.  And that is something to celebrate!

September 22nd, is our 31st wedding anniversary.   I am grateful to have a man that loves me, adores me and gives 100% to not only our marriage, but to everything that he does.  He’s not perfect, I’m not perfect, but we are perfect at being committed to each other – perfect at getting through the tough stuff, and perfect at trying to DO better and BE better everyday.

Thank you Scott Mackintosh for thinking that girl you bumped into on the dance floor of  Frisco Bay 31 years ago was worth pursuing!   I’m that lucky girl – I’m married to not only the BEST.DAD.EVER, but I’m married to the BEST.HUSBAND.EVER.

The SECRET to a HaPpY Marriage is Respect, Love, Integrity, Loyalty, Honesty, Forgiveness, Compassion, Empathy, Trust, Communication and Commitment!

WAIT!  There’s one more thing…

Make each other smile and laugh – 

EVERYDAY!

HaPpY 31st Anniversary Scotty Mack:)