I love this article. Ray, what you write about is so diverse and enjoyable. My favorite part was:
“Still, happy old couples like the ones I’ve seen in the West are never bothered by the small things! Loving each other over so many years proves more rewarding for them than anything money or corporeal euphoria could attain.
***
All things considered, marriage is, as my wife and I agree, a package deal: you take the good with the bad, be grateful for the good, and ignore the bad most of the time!
Only responsible relationships last in which both parties undertake the task of caring for the other. Such a commitment doesn’t age or go away once the sparks subside. It also keeps lighting up new fires!
What is my definition of marriage?”
I am 7 years older that my husband.  We met when I was 31 and he was 24. I thought for sure he would not be interested in me because of the age difference. I fell in love with him immediately. And knew that he was the one. So I was not in a rush, did not apply pressure, I knew he was interested, but cautious. We are both strong Christians and met at church. That has been our foundation and always will be. We’ve been married 40 years next week. I am even more in love with him, then I was in the beginning.
I always laugh if it was God’s perfect timing. If I had met him at 21, he would’ve been only 14. Lol I would’ve been more like a babysitter and a potential suitor.
Thank you for sharing your talent. I always look forward to your emails. God bless you and your marriage Ray.
The way you describe it is probably the only way it can work, not because you fell in love (with which you two were apparently blessed), but because you are accepting responsibility for each other's salvation. There is nothing more beautiful in a relationship than that.
I am surely blessed, but on her part, you must ask my wife. :)
If we had met, when I was ready to commit myself, she would have been only seven. :)
I am 14 years older than my husband. He's my second but I've been married to him more than twice as long as the first one. Celebrating 17 years this year. However, our parents are the exact same age and we were raised very similarly although he was an only child and I had a sibling. Interestingly, he stays home and takes care of the home, cooking, etc and helps out our parents and other family while I work full time. I already had a 15 year old when we met and he never wanted children so that worked out as well as my son was old enough and didn't need another parent. They are friends and my husband helps him out too lol. It's been working pretty good for us!
Just got home from having an anniversary dinner with friends, they’ve been married 65 years! I’m on my second marriage, 2&1/2 years, I’d been happily divorced for 20 years now previously. My husband is 13 years older than me. In Florida. He was married 3 times previous, 47 years not counting our marriage.
I love this article. Ray, what you write about is so diverse and enjoyable. My favorite part was:
“Still, happy old couples like the ones I’ve seen in the West are never bothered by the small things! Loving each other over so many years proves more rewarding for them than anything money or corporeal euphoria could attain.
***
All things considered, marriage is, as my wife and I agree, a package deal: you take the good with the bad, be grateful for the good, and ignore the bad most of the time!
Only responsible relationships last in which both parties undertake the task of caring for the other. Such a commitment doesn’t age or go away once the sparks subside. It also keeps lighting up new fires!
What is my definition of marriage?”
I am 7 years older that my husband.  We met when I was 31 and he was 24. I thought for sure he would not be interested in me because of the age difference. I fell in love with him immediately. And knew that he was the one. So I was not in a rush, did not apply pressure, I knew he was interested, but cautious. We are both strong Christians and met at church. That has been our foundation and always will be. We’ve been married 40 years next week. I am even more in love with him, then I was in the beginning.
I always laugh if it was God’s perfect timing. If I had met him at 21, he would’ve been only 14. Lol I would’ve been more like a babysitter and a potential suitor.
Thank you for sharing your talent. I always look forward to your emails. God bless you and your marriage Ray.
Thank you kindly.
The way you describe it is probably the only way it can work, not because you fell in love (with which you two were apparently blessed), but because you are accepting responsibility for each other's salvation. There is nothing more beautiful in a relationship than that.
I am surely blessed, but on her part, you must ask my wife. :)
If we had met, when I was ready to commit myself, she would have been only seven. :)
I am 14 years older than my husband. He's my second but I've been married to him more than twice as long as the first one. Celebrating 17 years this year. However, our parents are the exact same age and we were raised very similarly although he was an only child and I had a sibling. Interestingly, he stays home and takes care of the home, cooking, etc and helps out our parents and other family while I work full time. I already had a 15 year old when we met and he never wanted children so that worked out as well as my son was old enough and didn't need another parent. They are friends and my husband helps him out too lol. It's been working pretty good for us!
cooperation, regardless of age...altho 3 years sounds pretty good
Just got home from having an anniversary dinner with friends, they’ve been married 65 years! I’m on my second marriage, 2&1/2 years, I’d been happily divorced for 20 years now previously. My husband is 13 years older than me. In Florida. He was married 3 times previous, 47 years not counting our marriage.
( congratulations to my friends Bob& Marlene, 65 years!)