Memory Lane

THEN:

Couple’s Names: Valerie and Larry Miller
Wedding Date: April 13, 1959

Wedding-Day Memories: The best memory we have of our wedding day is being acknowledged as Mr. and Mrs. Miller and signing the registry as a married couple for the first time. We wouldn’t change anything about our wedding day. It was the best day of our lives.

NOW:

Married Life: Married life is everything we thought it would be and more. Over time we learned a successful marriage doesn’t just happen. It requires building a comfort zone that both partners can be comfortable in.

Marital Advice: Marriage is not a competition. If something in the household needs to be done, just do it. Don’t waste time trying to figure out whose job it is. Anticipate your partner’s needs and act upon it. Pleasing each other can only be a good thing.

THEN:

Couple’s Names: Ana and Manuel Pereira
Wedding Date: May 20, 1979

Wedding-Day Memories: The best memory we have of our wedding day is saying, “I do” during the ceremony. Someone in our family died two days before our wedding. We wish they could have been there. Since we were in mourning we didn’t have any music.

NOW:

Married Life: You always think it’s going to be different than it actually turns out to be. It’s a lot of responsibility and even more so when you have kids. We still feel the same way about each other, if anything we love each other more. We talk about everything and have respect for each other.

Marital Advice: You have your good days and your bad days in a marriage. But you need love, and above all else, understanding on both sides.

THEN:

Couple’s Names: Tracy and Glenn Cullen
Wedding Date: June 6, 1992

Wedding-Day Memories: The wedding day itself was the best memory. We loved every minute of it, from the moment we woke up to the moment we went to sleep. Looking back, we would definitely choose another reception hall. Due to overbooking, we had no access to the hall until the morning of the reception so the decorations and preparations had to be rushed.     

NOW:

Married Life: We both knew that married life wouldn’t be like it was in the movies. However, we did not anticipate it to be as hard as it can be at times. Now that we have children and most of the attention is focused on them, we have to work hard everyday to sustain our relationship. You learn to cherish the simplest of things, even if it is just sitting down with a cup of coffee or taking a walk together.

Marital Advice: Move in together for a period of time prior to tying the knot just to experience and adapt to the life of a couple. Make sure there are enough common interests between you two. Honesty and communication are first and foremost in a relationship. We also feel strongly that couples should not give up so easily when hardships arise. You have to work through them.

THEN:

Couple’s Names: Janet Neilson and Everett Hurley
Wedding Date: May 15, 2002

Wedding-Day Memories: The best memory we have is saying our vows in the gazebo surrounded by our dearest family and friends. The ceremony was on a white sandy beach in Punta Cana and the sky was brilliantly lit up with a bright sun. We cannot think of a single thing we would change. It was a fairy-tale day.

NOW:

Married Life: Married life is better than we ever imagined it could be. When you are truly soulmates you can handle anything that comes your way. We spend all of our spare time together and have date nights whenever we have the chance. We also buy gifts for each other for no particular reason, just because we know it will bring pleasure to the other. We spend lots of time sitting in our gazebo, drinking wine or coffee, and continuing to plan for the future.

Marital Advice: Always be each other’s best friend. Keep your romance alive. Be impulsive, be playful, laugh together, have fun together, don’t drift into different directions and don’t sweat the small stuff. Hug and kiss every day and have romantic rendezvous whenever you get the chance.

THEN:

Couple’s Names: Veronica Catarina Saleiro Tavares and Jose Filipe Teixeira
Wedding Date: August 28, 2004

Wedding-Day Memories: The best memory I have of my wedding day is the look in Filipe’s eyes when I entered the ceremonial office. Both our faces were gleaming with joy and anticipation. The only thing we would change about our wedding day is the timing. Filipe had been in Portugal for almost a year, and I flew there to be with him. The whole wedding was arranged in two weeks so I would be able to fly back in time for school. Unfortunately, my parents were unable to book a flight and missed the wedding. Their presence was certainly missed. 

NOW:

Married life: In our marriage one of us tends to take care of the most important decisions and marital responsibilities. Although the final decisions are made by both of us, one of us usually takes the initiative. It’s not easy keeping the romance alive because of lack of time and the arrival of our son. But it is all the little things put together that make all the difference. For example, we call each other at lunch just to ask, “How are you?” and to say, “I love you.” Most of all it’s good to know you can count on each other to be there when you’re feeling lonely or need some tenderness.
 
Marital Advice: Marriage is a commitment that requires a lot of patience and understanding on both ends. Love doesn’t always satisfy a relationship but it definitely helps. Yet, ultimately, it is love coupled with respect that carries on to other responsibilities in a relationship.

THEN:

Couple’s Names: Melissa (Stina) and John Cammisuli
Wedding Date: June 16, 2007

Wedding-Day Memories: The best memory we have of our wedding day is being in the back of the limo right after the ceremony, feeling so relieved that the hardest part was over and done with and we were finally husband and wife. The only thing we would change about our wedding day is the DJs we hired. They convinced us to order additional props for the centrepieces, but brought none of them on our wedding day. Their deliveryman mistakenly took them to the wrong hall.

NOW:

Married Life: Married life is much better than we thought it would be. We got married relatively young and were expecting married life to be much harder for us because of our age, but its been so easy and great. There were very few surprises after moving in together because we already knew most of each other’s bad habits and pet peeves. We split the housework evenly, leaving us with more time for fun. We are able to keep the romance alive without actually having to do romantic things. Life keeps us so busy that there’s no time for candlelit dinners and bubble baths. Being together brings out the humour and silliness in us. We are always laughing together about something. It keeps our love for each other strong and the romance alive. 

Marital Advice: Pick your fights wisely. Over 90% of them aren’t worth the time or effort and will leave you feeling like you’ve accomplished nothing after hours of bickering. Be willing to let things go.