n the early years, I think just being in love was enough. As we matured and raised a family, my husband devoted most of his time to his profession and I allowed him to do his thing. I was solely the child raiser and homemaker. Of course in those days I had full-time help, so it was much easier than today.

I think respecting each other’s interests is important and giving each other permission willingly to pursue their hobbies — Alvin’s was fishing, golf, raising orchids, making jewelry, many meetings doing community and professional jobs. I do admit the only way I know I let him down was not becoming a good bridge player!

To this day I try to put his needs first willingly — it’s never a chore to do things for a wonderful husband. It’s important to appreciate what life has given me in him, as my partner, my friend, who is always there for me. He also has a great personality, and I still laugh at those jokes I’ve heard 100 times!

Now that we’re in our 80’s, we always care for each other physically, and I try to keep up his morale when he is discouraged. I am a very lucky person!

s I think back, what where my thoughts before marriage? Before I was married, I had no concept of the ingredients that made up a marriage much less than what constituted a marriage good or bad…We were two people who felt comfortable with each other and loved to be together all the time.

The only advice I received was from my mother who said “be sure to allow your wife freedom, particularly in regard to how she spends her allowance you may give her.”

Those were the days when the wife did not work and stayed at home. However, during the years, many things began to develop. Those problems were solved with mutual understanding. I was given the freedom to do what I thought was best for the family, and my wife had the same freedom. We accepted and encouraged what each desired.

The most important single factor was the knowledge that we were faithful to each other and never knowingly did anything to make the other unhappy.

The one problem we could not solve was how we raised our children. That was because of different backgrounds.

The advice I would give to newly married couples today would be:

1. Listen and respect the opinion of
    your mate.
2. Be faithful and honest with her.
3. Make your love visible and honest.

If I had known all of these things before, life would have been very dull and boring!! You must live it first to be able to enjoy your life in later years.