Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband of one year!  Kaylie & Jimmy included this reading as part of their wedding ceremony, and it has stuck with me ever since as the best advice on marriage.

Then I saw this post on Young House Love.  I decided that the quick project would make the perfect traditional first anniversary gift of paper (although we did give each other the 'paper' of airline tickets to San Francisco).  I just printed the poem below on thicker paper, and in Courier font.  Then I matted and framed it in materials from Michael's.

Can't wait to see it displayed on our mantel or in our room...

The Art of Marriage, by Wilferd A. Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things...

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude
of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humour.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

Thank you, Jeff for being all of these things to me. After a year of marriage, I couldn’t image a happier or fuller life than the one I have with you. Jeff gets me through the hard days and makes me happier on the good ones. Our life with amazing friends and wonderful family close by just keeps getting better… Here’s to another year of wedded bliss!