We had some tough years during the parenting teens + perimenopause years, but overall, we have had a very happy marriage…

Posted on August 13, 2026 at 02:40:55 PM by Craig

Of course we both do things that annoy the other, etc.

I think the two key things are…

1. As Alpo says, it’s a choice. It’s a choice to treat your spouse as the most important person in your life, to extend them grace rather than impute the worst motives onto their actions, to show gratitude, etc.

2. A good sex life (with the broadest possible meaning of what counts as sex) is key. Many studies have found that couples who work specifically on their sex life end up also raising their level of general relationship satisfaction, while the opposite is not true: working on relationship satisfaction does not tend to translate into a better sexual relationship, statistically. I think ppl who minimize the importance of sexual compatibility in mate selection are really doing people a disservice—it’s critically important, IMO.

Back to the board

Thread:

First spouse (mini) rant on the new board… - By Craig August 13, 2026 at 01:21:17 PM
- Wife claims I suffer from SHD - Selective Hearing Disorder * - By Spirit August 13, 2026 at 03:26:56 PM
- I don't apologize for my shitty hearing. The person talking to me can raise their goddamn voice, I can't make my ears work better... - By jjwalker August 13, 2026 at 02:27:48 PM
- Hard to imagine being in love with someone after 30 years. Good job man* - By Poster P August 13, 2026 at 02:01:41 PM
  - We had some tough years during the parenting teens + perimenopause years, but overall, we have had a very happy marriage… - By Craig August 13, 2026 at 02:40:55 PM
  - It's a choice.* - By Alpo August 13, 2026 at 02:04:24 PM
- do these stream-of-consciousness thoughts come across rooms? mrs kal does that and i hate it. i have started to ignore her.** - By kal August 13, 2026 at 02:01:38 PM
  - Honestly, pretending not to hear at all is probably the best strategy here… - By Craig August 13, 2026 at 02:03:01 PM
- You described my situation exactly. My wife just starts talking at a low conversational volume from another room and thinks I: 1) know she's talking to me, and 2) can hear her at all. Both false.* - By wingedvictory August 13, 2026 at 01:48:06 PM
  - Sometimes I have to say, are you talking to me or yourself. * - By Mark II August 13, 2026 at 02:31:18 PM
- This is the POTY content the board needs. (Need uncw dating stories next)**** - By Cincywolve August 13, 2026 at 01:45:59 PM

The Victors

We had some tough years during the parenting teens + perimenopause years, but overall, we have had a very happy marriage…