Wednesday, November 04, 2009

I'm a Mrs. for 31 Years and Website Input!




Website questions in a moment but first…

Today is my 31st anniversary. 31 years…married to Raymond Olson. I remember when we were first married, we dreamed that way in the future …on our fifth anniversary, we would go to Hawaii. Well, a few years later, we still haven’t gone. But that’s OK. We’d rather skip the flight and be at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island!

Easiest thing I ever did to get and stay married for 31 years?

No.

I don’t believe that two people spending their lives together is the easy way. As Sara Groves says, loving another person is no small thing.

Best thing I ever did?

Yes.

We may be the only people in the world who had spaghetti at our wedding reception of 400. Everyone had a bib supplied too. It was just the beginning of our adventure together.
I realize every day the rewards of a long marriage. That’s why I’m happy to be writing this blog to encourage everyone along the way and learning a lot myself too. Don’t take what a blessing it is to be married for granted…even in the hard times. The work is worth it. Happy Anniversary Mr. Raymond Olson, you are a treasure and I'll love you forever.
Now…

We are working on our new website and want your input! We also want to add a section to the website called “Consider This” devoted to exploring trends and thought for and against marriage with commentary by Executive Director Susan Dutton Freund. Put your thoughts here on this blog to let us know any thoughts you have and also go to our website and vote yes or no in the poll area.

thinkmarriage.org exists for people like you. Let us hear from you!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Olson. YOU are a treaure too.

Susan

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your wedding anniversary Michele.

thinkmarriage.org said...

Thank you for the encouragement Susan!

thinkmarriage.org said...

Thanks for the good wishes...making the day even more special!

M. Denise Wilmer Barreto said...

Great job Mrs. Olson and thanks for the encouragement and hope you convey to those of us who are barely 1/3 of the way to 31 years :)

thinkmarriage.org said...

Thanks M!
You know I did a radio interview program yesterday and when asked one of the best pieces of advice it has to be...don't give up and never quit. The rewards of a long term marriage are worth it. As long as there is no abuse...keep trying and keep going. Social science research also concurs...we know that couples who divorced were not happier five years later, while couples who stayed together and weathered out a storm were happier five years later. And with great tools like marriage building skills such as we offer at thinkmarriage.org, you really do have what you need to "stick with it." Thanks for blogging!

Marie said...

Congratulations, Mrs. Olson! I love your story and the encouragement for us younger couples to keep going because it IS worth it.

thinkmarriage.org said...

Thank you Marie for the post...I encourage you to keep going...the best is yet to come! Thanks for blogging.