I’m currently reading a book called “A Love That Lasts – Inspiring insights from couples married 50 years and beyond”.

If you’re thinking about marriage, not thinking about marriage, been married for 2 years or 50 years, considering divorce… I don’t care who you are, but I guarantee you could learn a thing or two from reading this book.

It’s an easy read and each couple gets a page worth of advice. I definitely have a few favorites (not completely through the whole book yet) but there is one couple in particular, whose advice I think is worthy of sharing.  Let’s read this together and tell me if this rings a bell:

“Don’t assume the ‘I love yous.’” NEVER EVER EVER assume this. You know what? Just don’t ‘assume’ in general. A wise friend of mine (starts with a “Jim” and ends with a “Hart”) once told me what happens when people assume… =)

Ok, back on track… “Don’t assume the ‘I love yous.’” I’ll be the first person to admit that I’m guilty of this. I especially realized it after my husband and I finished the book “The 5 Love Languages” (hands down, best relationship book I’ve ever read) and I learned that my husband’s Love Language was “Words of Affirmation”. You know how it feels, hearing those 3 little words spill out of your partner’s mouth…. “I love you.” It’s a-ma-zing. One of the greatest feelings in the world.

So below, take the time and read this short story of advice given by a couple married just short of 70 years! Wow…

Wade and Stephanie Strock – Married August 9, 1941

After years of marriage, a husband and wife might begin to assume their love for each other is understood. Pleas for a little assurance might be met with comebacks like, “Of course I love you; I’m still married to you, aren’t I?” This is a little like assuming that a person can’t be sick because there’s medicine in the house. Loving words can be like medicine for the soul. They build a person up when he or she is sagging emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Sharing words or other expressions of love also strengthen you as a couple.

“I can be sinking in a quicksand of despair,” Wade explains, “and a few loving words or a little love note from Steph can make me feel like I’m walking on air. I feel bulletproof. It’s amazing the power that ‘I love you’ has.”

So, whether you whipser it, shout it, write it, or even sing it, tell your partner today, “I love you.”

Clifton Hatfield… I love you.