Recipe for a happy marriage
Saturday, August 29th, 2009It was tough to choose a winner for the Recipe for a Happy Marriage contest. There were so many great recipes! Because Nava Atlas graciously signed both books she sent, I’ve decided to choose a winner and a runner up. They both get the same prize, a signed copy of Secret Recipes for the Modern Wife, by Nava Atlas. It’s a great book–a perfect wedding gift. To learn more about it, read my review.
Now for the winning recipe. It goes to Sarah Liz, a devoted fan of Project: Happily Ever After. I’m somewhat certain that were I giving a prize to the most frequent commenter, Sarah would win that, too. Linda was the runner up. Congrats ladies. I hope you enjoy your books. Please tell others about them. The best advertising for a book author is word of mouth.
To see the rest of the Recipes for a Happy Marriage, scroll to the end of this post.
Sarah’s Recipe for a Happy Marriage
1 cup each of the following:
Trust
Kindness
Honesty
Compromise
Great or at least, frequent, sex
2 cups of:
Love
Patience
Respect
Forgiveness
Communication
Validation
Equal Parts:
Appreciation
Belief that you only want the best for each other
Pure Grit & Determination
Individual Responsibility
Willingness to grow
Ability to say sorry and mean it
Loyalty
Plus at least a 1/4 to a 1/2 a cup of “sweet cherries,” such as the occasional butt pinch, spontaneous kiss and “just because,” flowers, note, or thoughtful deed!
Realize that these ingredients won’t always be fresh, or easy to obtain! Life will inevitably throw you some sour times. You’ll be hit with some hard grains of salt, and perhaps even, too much spicy–heated pepper! When this happens, bring out the chocolate for her, the ice cream for him–and don’t forget the cherries! 
Be willing to discuss this recipe from time to time and see which ingredients are most important to spouse during certain life-stages! This recipe may take some tweaking and a while to learn, but have no fear, it is a fool-proof, no fail recipe for a truly happy lasting marriage!
Oh, and most of all, enjoy your efforts–and each other!
Runner Up Recipe for a Happy Marriage
A couple handfuls of love and respect
Seasoned with willingness to listen no matter the mood
Allow some silence for alternative communication to bubble up
Throw in a dash of self confidence and a pinch of independent thinking
Mix with hands being careful not to overdo as dough could become tough
Combine the fruit of our labor with a sprinkling of sweetness and place into crust
Dot with the butter of life to “grease” the wheels
Pop into a warm oven to bake until death-do-you-part!
Serve while warm.
