15

Last night I told my son that my husband and my 15th wedding anniversary was the next day. He said he was sorry he didn’t get us a gift. I said he (and his sister!) were the gift.

Anyway, here are 15 things I’ve learned about marriage in 15 years:

*Sometimes no anniversary gift (besides the kids and that California Adventure Food and Wine Festival trip last month) is the best gift of all. Or just him uploading all your wedding pics off the disk.

*If she’s a good one, she’ll get the Spidey tingle and remind you to call your mom.

*If he’s a good one, he’ll cook for your family.

*A healthy relationship helps you grow separately as well as together.

*Marrying your best friend is good only if you get the spark when you kiss.

*Speaking of kissing, you should kiss in the kitchen. Preferably in front of your kids while they complain.

*Save your money for a housecleaner and a gardener. You just might be saving your marriage.

*The top layer of your wedding cake tastes just as good a year later if you freeze it well in foil.

*Learn their love language and speak to them in it.

*Dated pop culture references make excellent inside jokes in a relationship.

*Try not to exploit their weaknesses, as tempting as it is.

*If you’re getting pissed at each other a lot, it’s probably time for some hanky panky.

*Putting both kids to bed yourself once in awhile goes a long way towards making your partner happy.

*Know what their favorite treats are and surprise them with those treats.

*He’s a homebody. Let him rest. She’s a bird. Let her fly. She’ll always come back, because home is the beautiful nest they’ve made together.