Happy Wife | here i am

Do you agree with this statement?

I definitely believe this to be true.

Tonight I sat down to fold the laundry during the evening news and caught the tale end, just in time for the special report sharing the scientific secret to a happy marriage.

Guess what the answer was?

Yep – scientific research proves that a happy wife, leads to a happy life.

Here’s the link to the research from Rutgers University in Michigan, so you can see it for yourself. Happy Wife, Happy Life Research

I was so excited for my husband to come home to share with him the good news! He laughed with me, and then asked what’s the secret to making a wife happy. He’s always full of good questions.

Happy Wife, Happy Life!

Here are some of my ideas of what helps a woman to feel happy in her marriage:

1. A sense of self.

2. A partner who appreciates her role in the family and marriage and the tasks she does, whether she works in the home or outside the home.

3. Time spent doing what she loves, whatever that may be, without feeling guilty for choosing to take care of herself.

4. Exercise. Staying fit and healthy and having stress relief through fitness.

5. Quiet time. Time to read or meditate and focus.

6. Time to be just herself and not wife, or mother, but just herself.

7. Time with her partner, such as date night, or time to drink coffee together, walk together, or eat together.

8. Being loved and being touched, hugged, or kissed, without any expectations.

9. A sense of humor.

10. Understanding each other’s roles and appreciating each other’s contributions to the family.

11. A loving partner to her/their children.

12. A partner who cares about himself and takes care of himself too.

13. Immediate forgiveness and no holding grudges over grievances. Let go as quickly as possible to preserve the love.

14. Reciprocity. Taking care of each other and both giving 100%.

I’m sure there are a gazillion other best practices, but these are a few of my favorites. What are yours? What makes for a happy marriage or relationship? Whatever you think defines it, do the work!! It’s worth it.

I wish you a happy life!!

xo Adriana

My family came up from Southern California to spend Mother’s Day with me. It was the perfect day – with no big fanfare – just us, and church and April and Steve and S & J. The highlights of my day were many – my 2 year old niece singing Amen and the Our Father and Adele’s Someone Like You and smiling and laughing and just being so happy just being. She was my role model for the day. My kids were so happy to celebrate me with their home made cards and posters and hugs and kisses – loving me as their mama, my favorite role in life. And my dad and Jeff took care of the big kids and made us dinner. Happy Wife, Happy Life and the Mama’s Happy, so Everyone’s Happy!!

These signs were all over the walls in the halls, on the cabinets and on the mantle before he went to bed to surprise me when I woke up! How cute is that? J and C also made thoughtful and artistic cards for me and their Oma and Auntie.

Coffee on the couch with my girls and the Sunday paper, while the men are making us breakfast. Are we lucky or what? Thanks Dad and Jeff!

Letting the baby sleep, the mamas sat on the couch and relaxed and watched a movie together with a cup of coffee and some chocolate, while the guys took the big kids out to keep the house quiet and peaceful. It was so nice to actually relax – what’s that like?

The boys cooked a fabulous BBQ dinner for all of us and we had a Coldstone Ice Cream cake and homemade lemon bars for dessert. The kids had so much fun just running around the yard and watching Tangled. After dinner, we all settled down and enjoyed a quiet evening. We’re going to miss our cousin and Auntie and Oma and Opa when they go home tomorrow. Thanks for the best gift, Papa, Mama and Yaya- the gift of your time and love and just being together.