On September 5, 1969, these two kids stood looking out over their future. So, today, looking back over 50 years, what have I learned? 

1. Marriage is hard. It’s easier if you’re married to a good person.

2. Sometimes an argument isn’t worth winning. 

3. Pie makes everything better.

4. The first 47 years of parenting are the hardest.

5. The only way this works is if you take turns taking care of each other.

6. It takes two people to make a great marriage, but one person can pretty much trash it without any help. 

7. If you wait till everyone is happy to be happy, you will never be happy.

8. An introvert and an extrovert can make a good life together. 

9. The empty nest can be a beautiful thing. 

10. You live many lifetimes in half a century.

11. No matter how hard you pray, some things will not turn out the way you had hoped they would.

12. No matter how little you did to deserve it, some things will turn out better than you ever imagined they could.

13. You can, and will, fall in love many times in 50 years; if you’re lucky, it will be with the same person.

14. Just when you think there are no more surprises to be be had…. SURPRISE!!

15. An obsessive/compulsive personality and a “where are my shoes?” personality can live under the same roof . . . most of the time.

16. Called or uncalled, God is present.