[Jenn218]

Wow! What a great thread - and great posts!

I have been married to my hubby for almost 14 years. But I really don't know any "secrets". We have had our ups and downs, but we have great families, great communciation with each other and just plain respect for each other. We have pretty much the same interests and just about the same thoughts and feelings about certain things. I think we get along so well because we just really enjoy spending time with each other and having each other around. Course, he doesn't like shopping, etc. but those are good mother/daughter days out. Plus, I have always been a giver (not a receiver) - meaning, I would rather give than receive and I love to cater to everyone else. So, with that, that means, I don't get upset if I don't get a dozen roses for my birthday - yes, it would be nice and there have been occassions where I was surprised - but I like the other things....like him getting something for us to all share and enjoy. With that said......that helps because I don't get upset over that sort of thing......we are both pretty laid back and mellow people and it takes something extreme to upset one of us.

So my advice:
Show interest in each others likes....and their dislikes
Don't make each other feel guilty about something forgotten, etc.
Show respect, kindness and love.....always
Talk...you are friends too, not just husband/wife
Enjoy and appreciate the time you have together AND the time you spend away from each other.
Don't get in the same old routine/rut......if you are there, try something new (okay, not talking about anything dirty - I know how some of you are)
Have fun with each other...hold hands, flirt with each other across the room, make each other feel the way you did when you first met!

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice....very good stuff here!