The fallacy is thinking that after dating a couple of years (happily) and being married for a couple more, that it should just be…and if that is what you think marriage is or should be, than I have a lamp you can rub three times…

Dad’s laws of marriage are irrefutable:

1. If you don’t put the work in, you won’t get the benefit out.  

2. Doors from the past should be nailed shut.

3. Romance is a two-way street.

4. If you don’t want to be framed, don’t be in the picture.

5. There is a God and you are not more important than him despite your desire to put yourself in his position.

6. Your spouse isn’t to be discussed negatively to anyone…except them.

7. Respect and trust isn’t just for the Marine Corp.

8. Your spouse has one or two things they love and need…and your skill set may not be in providing that - naturally, but 3/4 of your life probably didn’t come naturally so that is a poor excuse for knowing what makes your spouse happy and choosing to do what makes you happy instead.

9. Most things that are broken can be repaired, re-bought, or forgiven.

10. Your spouse always come before your children and letting them know that is actually a healthy thing for ALL of you.

11. Work is necessary, but it can’t buy happiness.  It won’t hold you at night.  It won’t listen to you when you hurt.  It doesn’t care about your feelings.  If given the chance it will always put its needs above yours and at the end of the day, listening to your children laugh, holding your spouses hand in bed watching a movie, petting your dog, helping your children solve a math problem, cooking a meal that everyone loves and getting to share it at the dinner table beats any award or accolade, public or private, work will ever give you - Promise.