It’s often said that marriage is a lot of work — so it’s refreshing to hear from couples who not only figured out how to make their love last, but are having an awesome time doing it.
On Sunday, a Redditor posed the question, “Why are you still married?” The replies, from real-life couples who are just as in love now as when they said “I do,” give a glimpse into the makings of a lasting marriage.
Below, 13 secrets of happily married couples:
1. They trust each other.
“We don’t judge each other. We trust each other. We don’t have one of those wild tempestuous marriages. No one will ever write a book about us and there will never be a Lifetime movie based on our relationship. But I am in exactly the kind of relationship I have always wanted.”
2. They take the good with the bad and become stronger for it.
“We are coming up on 19 years next week. I am still married because I totally respect him for how he has held my hand through the bad times. The good times were good, but the bad times were 10x worse. His friendship and commitment never wavered.”
3. They respect each other.
“Married for 39 years. Why? I still get that funny warm feeling in my stomach when I hear his car drive into the driveway. He treats me with respect and he’s a hell of a lot of fun on a road trip.”
4. They’re honest with each other.
“11 years together, two years married … he provides me support when I need it and tells me when to ‘suck it up, princess’. He deals with all of my family bullshit and brings me ice cream … he gives the best hugs and is amazing in bed.”
5. They find joy in the little things.
“He’s the person I most want to hang out with whether it’s going out eat, acting like an idiot at a concert, or just sitting together watching TV. And he feels the same way about me. It’s great. No matter what life throws us (and it’s thrown a lot so far!), we always know we will be there for each other.”
6. They embrace each other’s differences.
“I love being married. My wife and I are opposites. I am impulsive, she is detailed. I am aggressive she is reserved. Together we are like a fucking superhero, winning and conquering all!”
7. Sure, they argue, but they always fight fair.
“[My husband] never has unkind words for me, even when he’s upset. It means the world to me that we can ‘argue’ and still say ‘I love you.'”
8. They have fun, even when doing absolutely nothing at all.
“The most important thing starting out was that we loved being with each other. We made each other laugh. We could do something or nothing and have a great time because we were together. We just fit.”
9. They cheer each other on.
“Married for 25 years. She is a force of nature, all 104 pounds of her. This woman does everything, sings like an angel, dances, cooks, mixes cement, lays tiles, does woodworking, quilts, builds mosaics, gardens, runs her own restaurant and bed and breakfast. She is so alive. She lights up the room every time she walks in with her joy.”
10. They love each other — flaws and all.
“[My wife] made a man out of a mess. She allowed me to make mistakes without hating me for it … she loves me when no one else does … she made me whole.”
11. They feel lucky that they found each other.
“We’ve been together for 10, married for three. He is literally the best person I have ever known. I would do anything for him. We make each other ridiculously happy, it’s kind of gross … We play video games together, go climbing together, cook together, you name it. Sometimes I cannot believe how lucky I am because this relationship is so damn easy.”
12. They support each other.
“[My husband] is so supportive in everything I do. He lifts me up when I’m down, always encourages me when I feel discouraged and when I need to talk about my feelings, he’s always there to listen. I mean it when I say I married my best friend.”
13. They understand that “in sickness and in health” is more than a phrase — it’s a promise.
“We’ve been married nine years, together for 13. Eight years ago I became significantly disabled. We were a two income house and I took care of pretty much everything at home. And then I couldn’t work anymore. I couldn’t cook or clean. I couldn’t do our grocery shop or pay our bills. I know he didn’t think he could do it, but he does it all. He finished his PhD while still working and having to do all the housework and even down to having to bathe me when I couldn’t … He’s a remarkable man and I adore him.”
