I want to make it known to you that you probably will have a tougher battle to keep your marriage together than we ever faced. We didn't have the lack of respect children appear to have today. Respect for parents, the law and any kind of authority. Why this is so I will not guess. We only know it is a huge problem today and one that can drive parents to distraction making a lasting marriage tougher to attain.

Five Must-do item for a long lasting marriage.

Respect Her. What do I really mean when I say respect? To put it simply, treat her as if your mother were standing right beside you. Your wife is a lady. She deserves to be treated special. That means you don't flirt. You don't look at other women with lust in mind. You don't need to. The lady who you declared those promises to at the altar, is your wife. No-one else. Hold the door open for her. Praise her in front of others.

Take her out to Breakfast. Can you imagine what a boring chore it must be to cook breakfast every morning? Assuming she does this for you and then you are off to work it must be very depressing for her. If she also goes to work, it must be doubly boring for her. Promise yourself, take her out to breakfast this Sunday. Watch her be ready to go before you are. She will love you for it.

Lose the next argument. Tough part of arguments. There are losers and winners. Why push it. If you're wrong, apologize. If you're right, apologize. Either way you win. You know how you hate to lose an argument. Think of how she must feel. Try losing, it will help your marriage last longer.

Tell her you love her. Tell her this at least ten times daily. You do love her, don't you? Women love to be loved. They will give back to you much more than you give to them. Tell them how good they look today. How nice their hair is. Really and truly mean it.

Hold her Hand. If you are not in the habit of holding hands in public or private you are missing an amazing connection. Let me tell you what happened to us not long ago. We were in a park for a walk one fall morning. A new skim of ice formed on the lake. A flock of Canada Geese had arrived. It was comical as they skidded into each other, for they couldn't stop as they usually do in water. We laughed heartily as the crack-up reminded us of the first snows of winter and the accidents that happen on the super highway nearby. We have always held hands as we walked. We've done it for years. A couple of young ladies, probably in their early forties approached. We noticed them say something between themselves. When within a few feet from us, one spoke to us and said "we want what you two have" as they passed by. Holding hands will help keep you together.

Ladies, if your husband has not read this article, be sure to print it off and leave it where he cannot miss it.