ON FUN ~ Secrets to our Success...

Edition #33
Thirteen Things about THE BUMBLES -and the Secrets to our Success...

We have known each other for just about half our lives. We met during college in Boston and spent 4 years as great friends. Then we dated for for 7 more before getting engaged. It only took 7 months to have the wedding. And we have been married coming up on 7 years this fall. In all of that time we have learned a lot about ourselves and what makes it work for us. Here are 13 of them...

1. Have things in common - We spend so much time together and it helps that we both enjoy spending time the same way rather than one being bitter that they are always sacrificing their fun stuff for the other's. We'll drop anything to go to a baseball game or take a road trip off the beaten path to look for interesting sites.

2. But be good at different things - Andy specializes in cooking, opening jars, working heavy equipment and navigating. Molly's specialties are cleaning, working remotes, keeping budgets, and documenting memories.

3. Don't be too sensitive - We tease each other all the time. Molly mimics Andy's Boston accent all the time and he knows to just do the opposite of Molly's navigational instincts.

4. Remember the little things - Mental notes about a certain something mentioned in passing easily turns into a special present. Andy bought Temperpedic pillows for Valentine's Day one year after Molly's passing comments (constant nagging) about his snoring. That small gesture may not seem very romantic but it made a big difference.

5. Remember alone time - Everyone needs their own space and time. Andy turns into Concert Boy heading off to let loose at a concert and Molly is more than happy to stay behind with a good book enjoying the peace and quiet.

6. But make room for date night - We like to keep Fridays to ourselves with a movie at home and an unhealthy dinner treat. It doesn't always work out that way but we make an effort - even if Andy ends up snoring on the couch.

7. Compromise - You have to give a little to get a little. The DVR is great for this. Molly records all her Reality TV shows so Andy can watch his hockey games. Then he doesn't complain when Molly puts him through a personal marathon of them on the weekend.

8. Be each other's biggest fan - Andy is very supportive of Molly's travel writing foray - never complaining when she drags him off to various attractions for new material. Molly is very proud of Andy's softball managerial skills - even though she shows her support via #3 more often than not.

9. Brush off each other's slumps - Being supportive of successful ventures is easy. Sticking with someone through the lows is more challenging. We are there for each other through everything. Serious roadblocks and little bumps in the road - we plow through them together.

10. Patience - As mentioned in #3, Molly is not blessed with an inner compass. Andy patiently maps out routes for her to unfamiliar places (like the grocery store). Molly patiently waits for Andy to figure out that a Garmin would make a nice birthday present.

11. Live vicariously through others - We know our limits - financially and energetically. We would love to do nothing but travel around exploring the world with no set agenda. But then again, we might get real sick of each other after a while - not to mention ending up broke. So lucky for us we have friends who took their savings, found a way to take a year off of work and traveled all around the world. We fell in love with their photos and heard great stories. And maybe someday when we get our act together we can use their experience to plan a few trips ourselves.

12. Live day by day - Rather than becoming depressed about unfulfilled dreams, it is better to live in the present and just be happy for what we have that day. When you focus on the here and now a little more often, it changes your perspective. Instead of getting overwhelmed with how to find time to accomplish all those things Molly has put on the to do list, Andy takes a deep breath and finds a way to cross off a few one day at a time. See how that makes life better for everyone involved?

13. Love every minute - It takes a lot of energy to hold a grudge. It's a lot easier to let things go and laugh it off. Just because we've spent almost half our lives together doesn't mean it could always be that way. Might as well enjoy the moments we share - happy memories make better stories anyway.

P.S. - I'm sure as a good follower/participant of T13 that you already visit T13's co-host, Janet @ Fond of Snape. But if you don't - hop on over there today and you'll discover our guest post on her blog today. Something to do with Andy & a Chicken...

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