Not only is that a line from one of the most-quotable, classic movies of all time, it is an appropriate topic for the special day being celebrated this week. (I am referring to Valentine’s Day, not Ash Wednesday.)

As a good friend likes to remind me, when it comes to mawage, I out-punted my coverage. I have a hard time disagreeing with him.

Another friend once said, in reference to my wedding, “never have I seen a bride cry so hard walking down the aisle and never have I seen a bride with so many reasons to cry.” I am not as sure about that one.

Though I am one to appreciate humorous comments like these, when I got married I was also very fortunate to have the benefit of receiving helpful advice from many people on how to have a good marriage. One piece of advice sticking in my head came from a friend who told me to remember, and often use, these three simple phrases – “Yes, dear.” “Sorry, dear.” “You’re right, dear.” I must admit, I have not yet fully mastered the art of using of these phrases but since the giver of the advice and his wife are closing in on 50 years of marriage, I figure the advice is worth paying attention to.

50 years! The reality of what it means to be married 50 years and beyond can be difficult to truly comprehend.

The past several years I have had the pleasure of attending the 50th wedding anniversary celebrations of a few couples, including my parents. Think about it, since my parents and the other couples were married, they have weathered tough economic times, including at least seven recessions. They have worried about the future of the world because of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the threat of nuclear war, Gulf Wars I and II, and the War on Terror. They have held on to their values while adapting to continual, societal changes, from the social upheaval of the 60s and 70s to the fast-moving pace of the 90s and 2000s. They have experienced, and continue to experience, countless personal triumphs and tragedies, as well as the triumphs and tragedies of their children and grandchildren. Through all of this and much more, my parents and the other couples have not only survived, they have thrived and probably enjoy each other more now than ever.

Before I got married, I had my opinions on marriage and divorce, and just like the parenting advice I was willing to offer prior to becoming a parent, I was willing to offer my opinions on marriage to people who were not really asking for them.

Since getting married, I have been humbled and have learned to judge less and empathize more when marriages do not work out. Not many people enter into a marriage planning on it ending in divorce. I know many good people who, for reasons I am not privy to, were not able to make it work and spending time placing blame and shame does not seem to serve much of a purpose.

With so much publicity, though, focusing on marriages that do not work out, I just think it is good to celebrate the many marriages that do work out.

“Yes, dear.” “Sorry, dear.” “You’re right, dear.” I hope and pray I am wise enough to master those phrases by the time my wife and I reach 50 years.

P.S. I purposely did not mention the name of the movie the quote comes from for fear of insulting those who know the movie as well as I do, or even better. For the name of the movie and the many other quotable lines from it, just Google “mawage.” You will not be disappointed.