Our Secrets to FOREVER

Everyone who is "in a relationship" should aim for one thing - make that relationship last forever.

My husband and I have been married for 18 years and yes, we are still together.  Before we plunged into marriage, it was clear to us that there would never be a plan B if plan A does not work.  Separation has never been an option.  So, we just have to make it work.   It’s not always a blissful marriage.  There are a lot of days that we have to deal with marriage glitches – us (either me or my husband).  But we made a solemn vow to our spouse before our holy God to love and cherish one another in good times and in bad times…till death do us part. Without us realizing it, our marriage vows talked about "forever" with our spouse. Death is the only event that this forever part will not be realized.  It shouldn't be separation or divorce.   

Our wedding pictorial: July 10, 1999 

I believe one secret to a long lasting relationship with our loved one is having a mind and heart that is focused on making it work despite of.  And this is because we know and understand that it is what God who designed marriage, wants for our relationship. If we let Him rule our marriage nothing will ever go wrong.  But that takes a lot of humility.  So yes, that’s another secret – HUMILITY.  A lot of broken relationships are fixed because of humility. When we give up our right to be right or when we can sincerely forgive the shortcomings of our spouse, it shows that we value the relationship more than our hurts or egos. 

Frustrations in our relationships are caused by unmet expectations. Knowing this, another secret would be to lower our expectations (from our spouse) and increase our appreciation (towards our spouse). 

Here are words which I have thought about that are loaded when we apply them on a marriage setting.  They may, as well, be our secrets to a lasting marriage. The beginning letters make up the word FOREVER so it's easier to remember. Just add the "each other" at the end of each verb. Yes, they are all action words because application is the key to knowing something.

F.orgive - Who has not done anything wrong? Put Christ in the center and we will always remember that we ourselves have been forgiven.

O.utlove - Learn each other's love language (words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, physical touch).

R.espect - Not just in action but in the way you behave and communicate with each other. The tone of your voice, your choice of words and your facial expressions should always be respectful. 

E.ngage - Go out on dates! Not just during anniversaries or if there is an occasion to celebrate. Make it a weekly special or on random days. 

V.alidate - Who doesn't love to be validated and be complimented (even in the very little things that we do)?

E.njoy - Laugh with each other. "Laughter is the best medicine," it heals every pain and hurt.

R.emember - Celebrate each other daily. Yes, remember why you married your spouse in the first place. What are his/her attributes that attracted you to him/her? 

All of this should be fueled by love that comes from God. Any marriage should be centered on Jesus to make it last. I'm not saying this because it is a common advice to say to any would-be couple. It is my conviction.  My husband and I are not yet in our 50s but we already are a ninong and ninang to four young couples and we consider it as an honor and responsibility. All marriages would be tested but a marriage that is focused on Jesus will not be shattered.             

Well, those secrets are easier said than done. While it may take a lot of effort, time, understanding and courage, among others, to make a relationship work and last, in the end, it’s all worth it.   

Do we look like Doug and Cheska here? Lol!  

As a Christian couple, my husband and I value our relationships - with God, with each other, with our children, with our families, with our friends and with others. God is not done with us yet, we are very much a work-in-progress couple. But, we have families and couples whom we take a cue from and admire when it comes to "relationship goals". They are families and couples who embody the love and joy of God in their lives. Team Kramer is an example of that family who trusts in Jesus.   

This is where I will segue ----  :-)

Team Kramer also trusts Del to keep their clothes mabango all day. Del Forever Joy and Love now has 15x longer lasting bangooooo vs a regular detergent band based on consumer test in Metro Manila. What I like about Del is not only the long lasting bango they leave to our clothes but even when we are already wearing our clothes, that freshness bango stays with us -- from the washing machine to the closet to our bodies.

Del Forever Joy and Love is a great reminder for us to strive to keep that joy and love in our marriage forever.  Even when there are "mabaho" moments in our marriage, literally and figuratively, we can always decide to pour (Del Forever) Love and Joy to keep the stink away...forever.       

Check out Del Forever facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/delfabcon/


This is my official entry to Nuffnang's Secrets to a Long Lasting Relationship with Del Forever Fabric Conditioner Blog Contest. http://blog.nuffnang.com.ph/2017/10/02/blog-contest-secrets-to-a-long-lasting-relationship-with-del-forever-fabric-conditioner/