As you probably know by now, I love stories for people who have been married a long time, by that I mean even longer than Mick and I have. This week Bill and Barb Kracker will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Bill’s proposal might not go down as the most romantic on record. It consisted of the words ‘You know we’re getting married, don’t you.’ It sounds like he was so sure of their feelings for each other and that they were meant to be together, that there was never any doubt about her not saying yes.
Now after 50 years they can share their secret of a long and loving marriage. Their secret is ’being there for each other.’ Those few words sum up what marriage should be all about, ‘being there for each other.’ Being there for each other when finances are tight and it is a struggle to make ends meet. Being there for each other when tragedy happens and life takes a downward turn. Being there for each other in the happy times and sharing joys together. Being there for each other every day, committed and persistent to maintain those vows you made however many years before.
Someone recently was telling me about a marriage that lasted less than two years. The main reason being they weren’t there for each other. They weren’t committed to making the marriage work and working through the problems. It is not working, so just move on, seemed to be the attitude.
Sadly that is so often the attitude. If I’m no longer feeling good about things, then forget it. That’s not being there for the other person. Being there means listening when they are upset and have a problem when they have had a hard day at work or at home with the kids. Being there means being more concerned about how they are feeling than how you are feeling. Don’t we all want a marriage where we know there other person is there for us? First we have to be there for them.
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