My husband and I have been happily married for nearly 20 years, and we got engaged a few weeks after we met. While we don't believe there is any one secret to a happy marriage, these are the things that work for us.

• We married the right person! So many people marry the wrong person, the one they just aren't suited for, and they think things will change after they get married. Things will change. For the worse. If you aren't happy with your mate before the wedding, you won't be happy after.
• We respect each other. I cannot stress enough how big this one is!
• Even more important than loving each other, we like each other. We genuinely enjoy being in each other’s company and spending time together.
• We agree to disagree. We are two different people with different life experiences and very different backgrounds, and as a result we have some strong opinions and beliefs that differ. We don't argue, we don't try to change the other person’s mind.
• We don't have kids. We love them and we enjoy doting on our nieces and nephews, but having children was never something we wanted. It seems like children, while definitely a blessing, can be a huge source of stress on a marriage, and that's one stress we don't have.
• And the most important thing for us: Separate bathrooms!

People have to understand that, over the years, life will change, and with it, their marriage will change. So much can happen. There will be illness, job loss, aging (with physical parts going south and all kinds of other fun stuff that goes with it), etc. There will be good times and not-so-good times. But if you remember why you decided to be with each other in the first place, these experiences can bring you closer together.