Simon and I were married.
We celebrated with dinner out last night and today, in the sure sign of a long marriage, we went to the launderette because our washing machine is broken! The repair people are waiting for a part so it won’t be fixed for another week or so.
To quote a friend: in sickness and in health, in good machine and bad. 🙂
18 years is a long time. And the 21 years we’ve nearly been together is even longer, obviously. So much happens in 21 years:
- Moved to Belfast
- Got married
- Got a job
- Got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
- Had a baby
- Started a company
- Got diagnosed with fibro
- Moved to a house
- Bought a house
- Started a new job
- Survived a pandemic (so far) (no, it’s not over)
There were other things, of course, but those are the highlights.
And it’s had its ups and down, highs and lows. I’ve been dealing with my chronic pain, we both had to get through some lean years, and Simon has also had some health issues.
But, at the end of the day, what gets us through? Each other. Knowing that when we reach out to the other, they’ll be there.
I spend a lot of time on Reddit and other sites, reading other people’s requests for help. Sometimes I reply, I sometimes I just mutter to myself. But an overwhelming theme, it seems, on these posts, is people who are coupled but don’t have each other’s back.
So my one piece of advice for a long and happy relationship, whether spouses or partners or whatever you call your state of coupledom? Be there for each other. Take care of each other when needed. Fight if you have to, but make up well.
And couple up with your best friend.