Marriage is one of the most wonderful gifts in the world, but it is definitely not easy. Giving your whole heart and the rest of your life to just one person might sometimes seem scary or even impossible. But don't throw away those customizable engagement rings yet! Think about how nice it is to see couples who have done it and lived to tell the tale. There's nothing that brings a smile to my face as quickly as seeing an elderly couple hold hands. There's just something about it.
So, if you're nervous about marriage, maybe it's a good idea to ask for some advice and words of encouragement from loved ones you know who have had those his and hers wedding bands on for a long time. Before that though, you should check out these beautiful pieces of marriage advice from two of the world's longest married couples.
Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher
Let's start with Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, who were once the longest married couple in the entire world! In fact, they broke The Guinness World Record for the longest marriage! These two lovebirds were married for a whopping 87 years. In 2010, they did a Twitter Q&A where they gave some great advice. Here are some of the best tidbits:
-
"Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score."
-
"We grew up together and were best friends before we married. A friend is for life; our marriage has lasted a lifetime."
-
"Respect, support, and communicate with each other. Be faithful, honest, and true. Love each other with ALL of your heart."
Jon and Ann Betar
This couple eloped on November 25, 1932, and they actually weren't ever supposed to be married in the first place! Ann's father had arranged for her to marry a man 20 years older than her. And, when she ended up eloping with Jon, the father told her previously betrothed not to worry--that the marriage wouldn't last. Boy, was he wrong. In this article, Jon and Ann pass on some of the wisdom they've accrued over the years, including:
-
"Devote your time to understanding one another."
-
"Be content with what you have and what you're doing."
-
"Marriage isn't a lovey-dovey think, y'know, for 80 years. You learn to accept one another's way of life."
Stay tuned for the next part in this series that will have even more marriage advice for you to ponder! In the meantime, take a look at our customizable engagement rings and our his and hers wedding bands.