My Recipe for a Happy, Lasting Marriage...

I got this idea from Alisa Bowman, who writes the blog "Project Happily Ever After," it's one of my very favorite blogs! She got this idea from Nava Atlas. And I was asked to provide my own "recipe" for a happy and lasting marriage. Okay, I wasn't personally asked, but I want a free copy of Ms. Atlas's book, so in the "comments" section of Alisa's blog, I posted my own recipe for a happy marriage!

Here it is:

1 Cup each of the following:
Trust
Kindness
Honesty
Compromise
Great or at least, frequent, sex

2 Cups of:
Love
Patience
Respect
Forgiveness
Communication
Validation

Equal Parts:
Appreciation
Belief that you only want the best for each other
Pure Grit & Determination
Individual Responsibility
Willingness to grow
Ability to say sorry and mean it
Loyalty

and at least a 1/4 to a 1/2 a cup of “sweet cherries,” such as the occasional butt pinch, spontaneous kiss and “just because,” flowers, note, or thoughtful deed!

Realize that these ingredients won’t always be fresh, or easy to obtain! Life will inevitably throw you some sour times. You’ll be hit with some hard grains of salt, and perhaps even, too much spicy–heated pepper! When this happens, bring out the chocolate for her, the ice cream for him–and don’t forget the cherries! :)

Be willing to discuss this recipe from time to time and see which ingredients are most important to spouse during certain life-stages! This recipe may take some tweaking and a while to learn, but have no fear, it is a fool-proof, no fail recipe for a truly happy lasting marriage!

Oh, and most of all, enjoy your efforts–and each other!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)