How to stay married

Fourteen years ago today I married my best friend. My favorite person in the whole world to pick on and aggravate! We have been through many different trials and hardships since then. Yes, most of them were caused by me. What is amazing to me is that not only has she put with an enormous amount of bullshit from yours truly, but that she at least seems to still love me. I know. It is amazing! While we have had our share of tough times, I'm sure they number no more than any one else's. We have however, been truly blessed by the most wonderful children in the world. Over the past fourteen years we have laughed, cried, and fought. And all of this we have done without separations, custody battles, or restraining orders. I wouldn't say that life is always a barrel of roses. In fact there are often an abundance of thorns. But life is life, and the most I could ever ask for is to share it with my best friend. My wife has kept me sane, nourished my strangest ideas and dreams, and somehow tricked me into sobriety. For all of these I am eternally grateful. I can only hope that I have been half the spouse that she has been. Now before you start crying your little eyes out into your coffee I feel it is my pleasure, nay, my duty to offer up some advice. My maternal grandparents were married for over 51 years, and I had the pleasure of hearing my grandfather answer this question on numerous occasions. When asked "How can you stay happily married for that long?". His answer was simple, effective, and has served me well. "I just say yes mam."