The Wedding Anniversary: Making Marriage Long Lasting

If a marriage was worth celebrating originally, then it ought to be worth re-celebrating. An anniversary is much like a shared birthday and ought to be a memorable occasion.

Wedding anniversaries, like other celebrated days, are worth putting some time and effort into making that day something to be remembered.

Hopefully, good marriages get better with time, so each year should be a celebration of making something that was good and meaningful into something that is even better.

There are a lot of jokes and references to one spouse or the other forgetting their wedding anniversary; that is mostly a myth, most couples remember this day in one way or another.

A wedding anniversary is a time to rethink commitments made in years past.

It is also a time to set new commitments with each other that are in keeping with the growth and development of the marriage.

It is a time to give thanks to each other for services rendered, joys experienced, care given, love extended, hopes shared, comfort given in times of need, acceptances of weaknesses as well as strengths, along with feelings expressed and promises delivered.

Anniversary time is a good time to evaluate how the marriage relationship is meeting the needs of your spouse. It would be a good time to do a year-end report on the profits and losses to the marriage relationship during the past year.

It is an ideal time to set new goals for strengthening the relationship.

Contrary to what you may have heard, marriage is not burdensome. When you are married to the right person, building a life with your spouse is not an arduous task.

You should know there is nothing esoteric about being in a happy, loving relationship or achieving a 10 year wedding anniversary.

Moreover, if you follow your visceral instincts, you will find your way to lasting love!

Authentic attraction is more than chemistry and physical attraction.

Assess your relationship for an intellectual attraction, an emotional attraction, and an inspirational attraction.

Does your partner inspire you? The ability to inspire and be inspired by your partner will carry you through the decades.

Effective communication is the cornerstone for every successful relationship.

Are you able to communicate with your partner? Do you have similar communication styles? Are you aware of the impact of your verbal and non-verbal communication on your partner? When your partner speaks, are you truly listening? Being a good listener is a critical aspect of communication. By listening intently, you will continue to learn about your partner while creating a supportive environment for self-expression.

Having similar lifestyles and interests will propel your relationship to prosperity.

Do you and your partner share similar lifestyles? Having opposing values or cultural ideals could prove to be challenging in the long-term.

Sharing the same way of life enables you to connect at a deeper level.

Do you and your partner appreciate the same type of activities and interests? By spending more time together, your connection will grow.

You don’t have to enjoy all of your activities together, but it’s nice to experience certain interests as a couple.

Some ideas for anniversary celebrations

Visit some places of your courtship and early years of marriage.

Returning to the place of your marriage and reminisce over the events of that day. A little nostalgia can make a very enjoyable experience.

A night or two in the hotel where you spent your honeymoon brings back pleasant memories of learning to live together.

Find ways to meaningfully expressing yourselves to each other. These might include written messages, sharing of services, or giving gifts that have special significance such as: music from the era of your marriage or dining out at a place frequented during your courtship or early years of marriage.

Spend some time looking at pictures of events in the past pertaining to your marriage.

This includes the recounting of memories of special events or circumstances that stand out in your mind as being meaningful and important. Arrange to be away from your employment on the day of your anniversary.

The wedding anniversary ought to be at least as important as any of the national and state holidays we celebrate. Make some concrete plans for that day. Do something that day that is entirely different than other holidays. If you have children at home, arrange for some child care and make this day something special for that just you and your spouse.

Do something that would be a pleasant surprise for your spouse. Gifts or activities are often more fun and meaningful if given as a surprise. Doing the unexpected usually makes meaningful memories.

Invite all your children and their spouses if they are married to join with you in a celebration of marriage. Don’t go anywhere just stay home, but tell everyone you are going to be out of town and enjoy a day with each other away from all everyday rush of things. Spend some time remembering activities you have done on previous wedding anniversaries.

Anniversaries can and should be very meaningful occasions in a marriage relationship. A marriage frequently celebrated improves in worth and health.

Firas Taleb

Edited & Translated by: Lama Al-Hassanieh