For the June Brides (and all the Others)

May 27, 2016

Congratulations on beginning your life together. While I’m sure that you’ll have many happy years together, sometimes you’ll hit a bump in the road.

When things get a little dicey, know that you’re not alone. Here are some of my favorite quotes about marriage:

(Hester Christie is looking for a birthday present for her husband.)

“…Spend a long time examining dressing gowns for Tim’s birthday present. [A young man in the Men’s Department helps, and they finally find one. …The] Young man says if my husband would prefer a different colour he is at liberty to change it, which confirms me in my belief that he has had long experience in the Men’s Department…”

Tim is having trouble with an officer in his regiment, and asks Hester for ideas on how to handle it.

 “…Suggest tentatively that we might ask the democratic officer to dinner, and Tim make a few tactful suggestions to him over a glass of port. Tim is very scornful of my solitary idea. …

“[The next morning] Tim comes down to breakfast whistling cheerfully and announces that he has been considering the matter…and that there is only one thing to be done… Tim’s idea is to ask young Weir out to dinner some night…and Tim will have a talk with him over a glass of port and put it to him in a tactful way…

“Reply that I am glad he has thought of such a good way out of his troubles.”

From Mrs. Tim Christie, by D. E. Stevenson

(Lord love her! She didn’t brain him—and has been a role model for me ever since.)

Patricia Anne is going away on Monday for a week with the girls, leaving her husband at home.

“…We are apart so seldom that by Sunday night we were already missing each other. … The funny thing is that once we say goodbye, I have this great feeling of freedom. Go figure.”

From Murder Makes Waves, by Anne George

Patricia Anne’s niece has just eloped. She and her new husband don’t think that they can live together, so they’re going to have adjoining condos. Her other niece says that she hopes that the wall will come down soon, because she wouldn’t want her husband living next door.

“We were both quiet for a moment, thinking. Then we burst out laughing. There’s not a woman alive who wouldn’t move her husband out sometimes. Just next door.”

From Murder Boogies with Elvis, by Anne George

So keep it in perspective; keep your sense of humor; and enjoy your marriage.