Love

I read an article on Telegraph about a research done on 2,000 happily married couples which identified the key factors in maintaining a blissful marriage.

Here are some key factors which the 2,000 couples shared. As a newly married couple, we do have a lot to learn. I have dissected the article and break them down into categories. Have fun reading!

Make time for one another

• Go on a short break together twice a year [We maintained this practice too!]
• Eat out in restaurants at least three times a month [Baby, see it’s not that I’m a glutton!]
• Arrange for at least five movie nights at home instead of spending the usual evening fighting over the remote control or disagreeing about what to watch [We disagree over what to watch on cable TV all the time! I love my CSI, NCIS, Hawaii-5-O, Criminal Minds and he loves all the food related channels. Perhaps a movie night might solve this problem!]

Show Physical Affection

• Share a lingering kiss six times a week [We try to kiss each other goodbye every morning]
• Have sex twice a week [No comment. Hah.]

Give words of affection

• Say “I love you” up to nine times a fortnight [We do that via whatsapp, does that count?]

Have meaningful conversations

• At least one healthy argument a week to ensure they resolve anything which is bothering them [Healthy is the key word in this sentence.]

Give each other space

• Allow a night out with friends instead of their other half

Little Romantic Gestures

• Cook a nice meal, take their spouse a cup of tea in bed three times a month [I should do this more often!]

Give and Take

• Never go to bed on an argument
• Try to turn a blind eye to irritating habits and accept each other’s fault [HEY BABY, LOOK HERE]
• Know when to say sorry [I know sorry it’s the hardest word to say, but it is also the magic word. If you can use it to turn things around, you are a magician!]
• Share household chores equally [I’m the lazy one, so yes, this is for me.]
• Compromising on television schedule [I’m also the TV addict. Shucks.]

Other factors

• Friendship with your spouse is more indicative to a successful marriage than the initial love at first sight [We are building our friendship daily, he is like my irritating roommate. HAHA.]
• Support each other and being kind
• Being honest
• Retaining a degree of secrecy [A little conflicting ya. Haha.]

What about yours? What makes your relationship successful?

I’m on leave today and I’m glad he put down the curtain so I can sleep till 10.30! It is these small loving acts that make you feel special!

I’m going to upload some of my favourite wedding pictures taken by Gabriel from One Eye Click! Stay tuned!

I woke up to a deafening sound of silence on a very blue Monday.

I miss you already!

I’m on leave today because my poor boy went for his wisdom tooth extraction today and we always take leave for each other when we have wisdom tooth extraction!

“What’s the sticky glue behind all successful couples? I don’t think it’s lust – humans are easily tempted by other people. I don’t think it’s legal terms either – if not why do the number of divorce cases increase exponentially. I don’t think it’s money - it’s a well-known fact that women having increasingly high purchasing powers. I don’t think it’s faith – there are people of similar faiths and yet they split. I don’t think it’s commitment – this is a term which young people like myself take very lightly. So, is it love? I don’t think so either – because I know people who were crazily in love (like IcannotdowithoutyouifnotIwilldie-kind of love) and yet they still split eventually.

After eliminating all these factors, in my opinion, the answer might be forgiveness. Maybe when one learn to forgive the other for his/her shortcomings – only then they stay together.”

- SA (her blog address is private but her words of wisdom is worth sharing)

I am reposting a good friend’s blog post here because I totally agree with her and love it! Some may not agree but I think it is so true! Even though she is not the best person to give love advice (HAHAHA, don’t kill me girl) but if it is true from the heart, it is true. Similar to God’s love, it is also His grace and forgiveness which often holds us and pull us back into the light. I love it because it serves as a good reminder for us all!

What do you think? What in your opinion is the sticky glue in your relationship?

Some of my friends may already know, he bought an iPad for me a while ago (more than a month ago) but I’ve had so little time for myself and my blog that I’ve not formally introduction my new toy! Everyone, meet Paddy my buddy (Pun intended at all cost). It was a gift from him for various occasions and he intended to surprise me (But failed because of my CSI capability in sniffing out all hints.) ! Paddy was bought online and he had a cool tattoo which says “To baby dearest, love Jason”. Erm, find not the coolest tattoo but one, two, three, Awwwwww.

I love his mobility, huge screen, ease to use it and the fact that I do not have to wait for 3 minutes to get him started. I mainly used him to surf blogs, read online news, check mail, blog and all. The only downfall of Paddy’s family? It doesn’t support flash. Boo! But I’m not complaining. Thank you baby and sorry for the late acknowledgement. Heh.

// Kill me for personifying my iPad.