I’ve never liked the odds, and I’m not a gambling man, so I’ve avoided it all.
It apparently works for some. I figure if, after 20 years, they’d both freely do it again, that’s a successful marriage. My parents made it to 63 years. My brother, the cynic, declared their marriage to be a triumph – the triumph of habit over hatred.
My parents were married for 63 years, and together a total of 65 years. Their relationship started because my Dad decided to drive 6 hours, every other weekend, to take my Mom on dates. That is a lot of devotion, time, and effort, especially so in the early 1950’s.
We are at 35 and I’ve been wondering how I deserve her since the day we married.Three things I have tried to remember to say every day.That I appreciate herThat she’s beautifulThat I love her
Sure, we’ve had our moments, but those have been few and far between.All in all, I am grateful to have had her to spend my life with
I’ve known my husband for almost 16 years. Married for almost 8. We’ve never had a fight like that. There’s no reason for it. According to most people, “there’s something wrong with us” and we’re “not normal.” Of course, the people saying these things are miserable and projecting their misery onto others… which seems to be par for the course with society these days. “I’m miserable, so everyone else must be, too.”
This is year 40 for us. We haven’t had a single bad year. My sister attributes it to several things.1. No matter what we might argue about, neither one of has ever called the other one a name other than a stubborn goat. (that would be me)2. We’re both pretty easy going. We don’t let things get to us.3. We learned a long time ago that we cannot do house projects together. If it’s a big project, I hire people.4. We each have out own ‘thing’ and don’t begrudge the other for spending time doing it. He has his rodeos and horse events. I have my books and my sewing. I foster kittens but if I’m sick or something and can’t take care of them, he does it.5.One of the things that will break up a couple when first married is arguing about money. We didn’t have any to argue about.
Looking into the past, I believe those folks who have put the effort into knowing themselves at different stages in their lives make the happier spouses. Those who spent the effort in self awareness didn’t need to seek out partners who specialized in pointing out their partner’s shortcomings.
My tongue-in-cheek advice to younger couples is: it took 45 years for us to work out all our minor problems, now we’re working on the big ones! : o) We’ll hit 50 this June, with no end in sight. And after all these years I still can’t figure out why she chooses to stay with me. It also helps that we share our faith in God, that’s gotten us through a lot of tough times together.
Be thankful for what you have. I lost my best friend in November. After 38 years of ups and downs and all the in between. My best advice to newlyweds is to never go to bed angry and once an argument is over, never bring it up again.
I married twice. Both of my ex’s got to be so mean, jealous and obnoxious that they drove me so crazy that I gave up. Been divorced since 1983. I’m insane enough without the aggravation.
I don’t think it’s the longevity of a marriage that makes it a happy one, so much as the maturity of the individuals in the relationship – and I’m not necessarily talking about their age.
I married my current wife 10 years ago when I was in my late 60s and she was in her mid-50s. Both of us had been married previously, raised our kids, and were grandparents.
All those previous years of joys, sorrows, worries, and strife enabled us to bring to our relationship a different perspective based on experience and maturity that would have been lacking had we met and fallen in love when we were younger.
The sheer pleasure in appreciating and loving all the little things in our lives, along with the patience, wisdom, and sense of humor we’d developed over the years, has made these past ten years the most enjoyable and memorable of my entire life. I look forward to many, many more years of happily married life with this truly remarkable woman.
Married now for 44 years. It has its ups and downs, but mainly ups. It’s about commitment and giving. If you can’t do it, don’t. She is my love and my life and we love being together. Half of me will die if she passes away. But she’ll be there in the house and wherever I go.
My husband and I have been together for 24 years and married for six of them. This might not seem like very long to some, but we are a same-sex couple (both dudes), and it seems like finding a gay guy who wants commitment is almost impossible, finding two is even rarer, especially considering we were both in our 20’s when we met. We have never gone through the fighting phase though, we have always gotten along.
Meanwhile I’ve watched both my brothers go through three marriages each, one of those brothers went through many long-term girlfriends on top of the three marriages, and my sister didn’t settle down with somebody until she was 43 years old – and tragically, he died last summer at the age of 46.
My point? I don’t really know, except that it always amazes me that in my family I’m the stable one. Growing up as a deeply closeted gay teenager I never would have thought that what I have now was possible. I didn’t think guys could be in long term relationships with guys, and marriage wasn’t even an option.
My parents were married for over 60 years until mom died. When they retired, they bought an RV and traveled. Dad said at the time that spending so much time together in a small space would show if the marriage was a mistake or not. Turned out great!
Just celebrated number 34. We’re very different people, so the struggle is real. However, at the end of the day we love each other and celebrate the things we both love together.
My wife and I celebrated thirty years on April 3rd. It still amazes me that she has put up with me for all these years. I am looking forward to another thirty years.
Missing largerussb53 less than a minute agoTRVTH! My wife and I have been married for 50 years. I would do anything for her, for instance, while she was ill with Covid for most of the winter, I would, clean house, do laundry, get groceries, and fix the meals. When we had been married 5 years, it was all she could do to get to change a diaper.
My parents argued about which was less deserving of the other — vying for the position of the undeserving one, that is. They didn’t say “I love you” all that much, but it would have been silly to do so when they made it obvious in many other ways.
Not everyone is cut out for marriage, especially long marriages. Learning to be content with oneself should come first; a partner or spouse is just icing on the cake…assuming the partner/spouse is also content with themselves to begin with.
BE THIS GUY over 1 year ago
Just for the record, Rat also has a soft side:
https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2018/01/21
_
BasilBruce over 1 year ago
So it takes 45 years for the fighting to stop?
ronaldspence over 1 year ago
Every day a struggle, every year a joy…
DennisinSeattle over 1 year ago
Just sweet enough.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member over 1 year ago
Panel #2: me and my ex-wife at year three. The last together.
Alexander the Good Enough over 1 year ago
I’ve never liked the odds, and I’m not a gambling man, so I’ve avoided it all.
It apparently works for some. I figure if, after 20 years, they’d both freely do it again, that’s a successful marriage. My parents made it to 63 years. My brother, the cynic, declared their marriage to be a triumph – the triumph of habit over hatred.
hitman4cookies over 1 year ago
Rat being rat, he could drink his coffee unsweetened and it would be too sweet.
Baarorso over 1 year ago
I’ve never had someone special in my life but I sometimes wonder how it would be if i had one.
Bilan over 1 year ago
Fifty years of marriage must be when you forget more of the bad times than you remember.
jonnytest over 1 year ago
You got that right. I’m in year 47.
Jwhitcomb1966 over 1 year ago
My parents were married for 63 years, and together a total of 65 years. Their relationship started because my Dad decided to drive 6 hours, every other weekend, to take my Mom on dates. That is a lot of devotion, time, and effort, especially so in the early 1950’s.
Walter Kocker over 1 year ago
Sadie and I’ve been married for 53 years.
I’m here to say the first 53 are the hardest . . .
yet,
I’ve grown accustomed to her face . . . ;-)
Farside99 over 1 year ago
Well, we’re going on 49, so there’s a chance. {^¿^}
iggyman over 1 year ago
I glad they hung in there long enough to reach that point!
MayCauseBurns over 1 year ago
The secret to a long marriage is complacency. Notice I said long, not necessarily happy.
donlackie over 1 year ago
We are at 35 and I’ve been wondering how I deserve her since the day we married.Three things I have tried to remember to say every day.That I appreciate herThat she’s beautifulThat I love her
Sure, we’ve had our moments, but those have been few and far between.All in all, I am grateful to have had her to spend my life with
zerotvus over 1 year ago
we almost made 50……….
Batteries over 1 year ago
I’ve known my husband for almost 16 years. Married for almost 8. We’ve never had a fight like that. There’s no reason for it. According to most people, “there’s something wrong with us” and we’re “not normal.” Of course, the people saying these things are miserable and projecting their misery onto others… which seems to be par for the course with society these days. “I’m miserable, so everyone else must be, too.”
Troglodyte over 1 year ago
As long as it’s married bliss, and not married blitz!
Stocky One over 1 year ago
This is very sweet. Is Stephan okay?
Queen of America over 1 year ago
This is year 40 for us. We haven’t had a single bad year. My sister attributes it to several things.1. No matter what we might argue about, neither one of has ever called the other one a name other than a stubborn goat. (that would be me)2. We’re both pretty easy going. We don’t let things get to us.3. We learned a long time ago that we cannot do house projects together. If it’s a big project, I hire people.4. We each have out own ‘thing’ and don’t begrudge the other for spending time doing it. He has his rodeos and horse events. I have my books and my sewing. I foster kittens but if I’m sick or something and can’t take care of them, he does it.5.One of the things that will break up a couple when first married is arguing about money. We didn’t have any to argue about.
gduncan58 over 1 year ago
I made a vow to never argue with my wife, although I was willing to dicker.
Frank Salem Premium Member over 1 year ago
I’ve been married 53 years and don’t regret one day of it. The one day I don’t regret was March 10, 1990.
Ellis97 over 1 year ago
This is why I don’t do marriage. I’m a free spirit and I don’t need no ball and chain dragging me down.
mrwiskers over 1 year ago
Looking into the past, I believe those folks who have put the effort into knowing themselves at different stages in their lives make the happier spouses. Those who spent the effort in self awareness didn’t need to seek out partners who specialized in pointing out their partner’s shortcomings.
Goat from PBS over 1 year ago
My parents recently hit the big 3-0. I’m eternally thankful for them.
Procat Premium Member over 1 year ago
This shows good things come to those who wait.
Huckleberry Hiroshima over 1 year ago
Too much hair on both of them in marriage year 50.
bbbmorrell over 1 year ago
I’m at year 45 and this is pretty accurate.
NaryGancy over 1 year ago
My tongue-in-cheek advice to younger couples is: it took 45 years for us to work out all our minor problems, now we’re working on the big ones! : o) We’ll hit 50 this June, with no end in sight. And after all these years I still can’t figure out why she chooses to stay with me. It also helps that we share our faith in God, that’s gotten us through a lot of tough times together.
ekw555 over 1 year ago
I never met anyone that I hated enough to want to ruin the rest of their life.
so I’ve never married.
[Traveler] Premium Member over 1 year ago
We’re just one year away from 50, we live panel 4, and never had panel 2
Smokie over 1 year ago
Be thankful for what you have. I lost my best friend in November. After 38 years of ups and downs and all the in between. My best advice to newlyweds is to never go to bed angry and once an argument is over, never bring it up again.
HOTLOTUS1 over 1 year ago
it’s called committed for a reason
Aficionado over 1 year ago
It’s been almost 45 years for us, all of them great. I am a very lucky man.
monya_43 over 1 year ago
I married twice. Both of my ex’s got to be so mean, jealous and obnoxious that they drove me so crazy that I gave up. Been divorced since 1983. I’m insane enough without the aggravation.
chromosome Premium Member over 1 year ago
My parents got along better the older they got.
secrestlee over 1 year ago
Bad habit over hatred. Going on 50 years.
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
Marriage is what a person is willing to overlook the others misgivings!
Brian Fink over 1 year ago
Celebrating 30 years this June. We’ve been through a lot.
Cameron1988 Premium Member over 1 year ago
My parents marriage lasted only 10 years
LaughterIsJoyMuliplied over 1 year ago
Thanks Steph.
The Brooklyn Accent Premium Member over 1 year ago
We got married so that her pregnancy would be covered under my medical plan. Seems to have worked. My son and his lady are now contemplating the same.
Linguist over 1 year ago
I don’t think it’s the longevity of a marriage that makes it a happy one, so much as the maturity of the individuals in the relationship – and I’m not necessarily talking about their age.
I married my current wife 10 years ago when I was in my late 60s and she was in her mid-50s. Both of us had been married previously, raised our kids, and were grandparents.
All those previous years of joys, sorrows, worries, and strife enabled us to bring to our relationship a different perspective based on experience and maturity that would have been lacking had we met and fallen in love when we were younger.
The sheer pleasure in appreciating and loving all the little things in our lives, along with the patience, wisdom, and sense of humor we’d developed over the years, has made these past ten years the most enjoyable and memorable of my entire life. I look forward to many, many more years of happily married life with this truly remarkable woman.
Tetonbil over 1 year ago
And the Gold Star of the Day goes to………Mr Pastis! Good one sir!
miltonbrady1 over 1 year ago
We have been married for 51 years and I can assure you that is not the way it is.
rick92040 over 1 year ago
This comic is very true. Marriage has it’s ups and downs and takes work. 42 years now for us and we are much closer than we have ever been.
larslarson over 1 year ago
Married now for 44 years. It has its ups and downs, but mainly ups. It’s about commitment and giving. If you can’t do it, don’t. She is my love and my life and we love being together. Half of me will die if she passes away. But she’ll be there in the house and wherever I go.
w2lj over 1 year ago
1/2 way there at 25; and I’d gladly do it all over again.
alkabelis Premium Member over 1 year ago
Amazing that the couple haven’t aged a bit after 45years lol.
up2trixx over 1 year ago
My husband and I have been together for 24 years and married for six of them. This might not seem like very long to some, but we are a same-sex couple (both dudes), and it seems like finding a gay guy who wants commitment is almost impossible, finding two is even rarer, especially considering we were both in our 20’s when we met. We have never gone through the fighting phase though, we have always gotten along.
Meanwhile I’ve watched both my brothers go through three marriages each, one of those brothers went through many long-term girlfriends on top of the three marriages, and my sister didn’t settle down with somebody until she was 43 years old – and tragically, he died last summer at the age of 46.
My point? I don’t really know, except that it always amazes me that in my family I’m the stable one. Growing up as a deeply closeted gay teenager I never would have thought that what I have now was possible. I didn’t think guys could be in long term relationships with guys, and marriage wasn’t even an option.
And now I’m the stable one.
dlaemmerhirt999 over 1 year ago
Pretty much! My parents used to fight A LOT. Now that they’re older and in higher-paying jobs, they now they’re SO nice! Lord, they’re lovy-dovy!
willie_mctell over 1 year ago
Hit 50 last year. We’ve always ascribed it to inertia.
bewarethelowfflyingcornmuffin over 1 year ago
marage year:0 thump thump thump!
joannesshadow over 1 year ago
My parents were married for over 60 years until mom died. When they retired, they bought an RV and traveled. Dad said at the time that spending so much time together in a small space would show if the marriage was a mistake or not. Turned out great!
thedogesl Premium Member over 1 year ago
We apparently got to year 50 a few decades ahead of schedule :-)
listmom over 1 year ago
Just celebrated number 34. We’re very different people, so the struggle is real. However, at the end of the day we love each other and celebrate the things we both love together.
Ammosexual is riding the Red Wave Premium Member over 1 year ago
We are at 43 now, the 1st 10 years were brutal, the last 10 have been great. Looking forward to 20 more great years…at least.
KC135E/R BOOMER over 1 year ago
My wife and I celebrated thirty years on April 3rd. It still amazes me that she has put up with me for all these years. I am looking forward to another thirty years.
russb53 over 1 year ago
Missing largerussb53 less than a minute agoTRVTH! My wife and I have been married for 50 years. I would do anything for her, for instance, while she was ill with Covid for most of the winter, I would, clean house, do laundry, get groceries, and fix the meals. When we had been married 5 years, it was all she could do to get to change a diaper.
Sisyphos over 1 year ago
Pig’s heart is in the right place, but I’m not so sure that his optimism is justified….
Samuel Daniel Premium Member over 1 year ago
We’re coming up on our 50th this year. I can’t believe I’m this lucky.
DaBump Premium Member over 1 year ago
My parents argued about which was less deserving of the other — vying for the position of the undeserving one, that is. They didn’t say “I love you” all that much, but it would have been silly to do so when they made it obvious in many other ways.
KingDavidLane over 1 year ago
They amazingly are wearing the same clothes and have about the same amount/color of hair.
cactusbob333 over 1 year ago
Many men have it hard for a number of years. Then it goes limp.
wordsmeet over 1 year ago
Not everyone is cut out for marriage, especially long marriages. Learning to be content with oneself should come first; a partner or spouse is just icing on the cake…assuming the partner/spouse is also content with themselves to begin with.
joejacob457 20 days ago
remember when rat did a similar comic and goat said “you have a soft side” and rat said “don’t tell anyone”?