subject: Wedding Traditions - Folded Potato Chips, Golf Sex And Alternative Concepts [print this page] What's a "tradition?" What's a "tradition?"
Conversations with couples happily married fifty years or additional reveal that "traditions" are a key to their long-lasting, fulfilling love. Husbands and wives convey that traditions are half of the foundation of their relationship, and that they enrich and deepen the marital bond.
Long-married couples conjointly say that traditions serve as an anchor, notably when rough seas are in their midst. During difficult or challenging periods, continuing these special practices or rituals have provided the "glue" for their union to remain sturdy. Traditions provided assurance that they are still a partnership journeying through life together. A straightforward misunderstanding
Currently you will be thinking, "Oh we tend to have plenty of traditions in my family." Whoa, there. "Family" traditions ought to not be mistaken for "couple" traditions. Family traditions are easy to return by. Your family may have Christmas rituals at the family feast or when the kids open their presents. Or, perhaps, you own a condominium at the beach, where the family migrates during summer weekends. Maybe the family takes karate lessons along one night a week. These are purely "family" traditions; they reinforce the "family" bond. Whereas all are wonderful, they are doing not qualify as a "couple" bond.
A head-scratching challenge
Step back and ask yourself, "What do my spouse and I do for simply the 2 people on an everyday basis that offers special that means to our relationship?" If you are like most couples, you draw a blank!
With our 50% divorce rate and even higher failure rate for subsequent marriages, the advice of our elder generation is price heeding. Begin your own tradition - today.
Currently you may be scratching you head, wondering, "What can my husband/wife and I do to make our own tradition?" Although traditions like those of Tevye and Golde in ,I>Fiddler On The Roofare relatively outmoded, there are many opportunities for you and your spouse to create modern ones.
Ideas to form your own relationship traditions
The subsequent array of traditions practiced by other couples will help you and your mate spark some ideas for your own relationship:
o Maureen says, "I like 'folded' potato chips. When Jerry and I eat potato chips, at home having lunch together or at a restaurant...He never says a word concerning this...He simply smiles, picks out the folded chips, and hands them to me. Each one of these potato chips could be a 'love note.'"
o Mike and Lillian have a rock garden in their backyard landscaping. Every trip they take, they bring about home a rock, write on it where it came from and therefore the date, and add it to the rock garden. Over their 60-and years of marriage, the rock garden has grown substantially; it's a garden of their special memories.
o Harriett and Jeffrey attended the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta a few years ago. They loved the egg-salad sandwiches purchased at the concession! Although they haven't been back to the tournament, every year, during the weekend of the event, they commemorate it with a special picnic with egg-salad sandwiches.
o Robert enjoys golfing and could be a mediocre player. His wife provides him nice incentive to higher himself. For each birdie he makes, she rewards him with a very special love-creating session.
o Matt writes a never-ending poem to his wife, Sarah. Each morning, upon rising, he pulls out his pen and paper from his nightstand beside his bed and writes a verse. Over breakfast and low, he reads Sarah the new addition to the poem.
o Laura and Gene have a "secret" numerical code that is engraved on their wedding bands. Laura explains, "We tend to use it in notes, emails, cards, etc. It's morphed into a secret hand signal that we have a tendency to give each other. He's in a very field where he's generally on TV and in front of the public, therefore he is given me the signal on TV or across a crowded room."
The clock is ticking
Sit down along with your spouse and brainstorm "tradition" concepts that work your relationship and personalities. Choose one or 2 and begin today. They will make your relationship additional exciting and your bond deeper, higher and stronger for years and years to return!