Marriage Advice – A Common Symptom of Engagements

You know what an engagement means, right? It means hours spent at the stationary store analyzing a million fonts that have minute differences. Being engaged also means you will become an expert botanist as you decipher the difference between carnations and daisies, determining just the right combination for your bouquet. It also means months of dieting to fit back into that wedding dress that may no longer fit because of all the delicious cake samples you have gorged on. “Oh, another marble cake? Made from whole wheat flour? Should I try it? I don’t mind if I do!”

Engagements also bring a more dreadful, less romantic and inspiring, messages. The messages come in the form of unsolicited marriage advice. Because anyone who has been married longer than 5 minutes has a wealth of wisdom they feel obligated to share with you. We asked some of our readers what was the marriage advice they received and how have they applied that to their marriage.

“My mom told me to never go to bed angry. My husband is so grateful for that advice because for the past 5 years he has been subjected to my constant need to finish the fight before we go to bed. No make-up sex involved since he is usually so exhausted he face plants on the bed.” – Kelly,29, Longville, MN

“Don’t begin your married life with a wedding cake that resembles a waterfowl.Living in a hunting community, you can imagine the creativity of wedding cakes. Unfortunately, my husband was an avid hunter and he requested the little groom on the cake be painted with a camo tux. A small concession. I guess.” – Crystal, 33 Pleasant View, KS

“When arguing, you have a choice. You can be right, or you can be happy. I always choose to be miserable because I am always right.”- Margie,46 Brownsburg, IN
“The marriage advice I received was from my husband’s great-uncle. Completely inappropriate advice, he told me to keep all the up and down moments between the sheets. We’ve been married 15 years and that advice is always in the back of my mind during those intimate moments. Not sure that is always a good thing.” – Karen, 41 Marietta, GA

“My sister granted me this advice; You don’t have to share everything. Separate bank accounts and separate bathrooms are the ingredients for a happy marriage. My husband and I haven’t shared money or toilet paper for years.” –  Tammy, 54, Gainsville, GA

What is the best/worst marriage advice you ever received?