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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Marriage, from Paul Newman


Paul Newman's letter to his wife, Joanne Woodward, on their wedding day:

“ Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created.
In the Art of Marriage, the little things are the big things.
*It is never being too old to hold hands.
*It is remembering to say ‘I love you’ at least once a day.
*It is never going to sleep angry.
*It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through all the years.
*It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
*It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
*It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
*It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
*It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel.
*It is not looking for perfection in each other.
*It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
*It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
*It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
*It is finding rooms for things of the spirit.
*It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
*It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and obligation is reciprocal.
 It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner."

3 Wonderful People Who Commented:

regan said...

Wow.....that last line is the clincher! Makes you really think! Thanks!

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

How very very insightful; there are so many wonderful truths here. Thank you for sharing :)

Susan Anderson said...

Maybe this is why they did so well together...

=)