Patty Smith Hall

At a recent bridal shower, I was asked to give one piece of advice to the happy couple that they could carry with them through the next 40 or 50 years. So here it is: Marriage is hard work. Okay, so it's not the most romantic or sexy advice but I should get points for honesty. Because living with another person, loving them when there's only two dollars in the bank and the car payment is due or the baby has kept you up all night(again) or the dog has used your chair as his own personal fire hydrant can almost be impossible at times. But it's in these moments that a marriage is made; a forever love. Question: What piece of advice would you give a newly-wed couple?

As I've mentioned in my post Monday, I'm focusing on the relationships in my life this year and part of that process is getting to know each other. A lot of folks have problems with that--anytime you have to reveal yourself to someone, you run the risk of being rejected. Not that I've ever worried about that--I figure if you like me, great! And if you don't--well, there's just not that much I can do to change your mind. So in an effort to reveal the 'real' me, I borrowed an idea I saw in a weekly magazine where you share twenty-five things most people probably wouldn't know about you. But I'll only stick you with ten for right now. So without further delay. . . TEN THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME 1) Math has never been my strong suit. Whoever thought up the idea for the calculator must have had me in mind. 2) In high school, the librarian accused me to stealing a copy of Louisa May Alcott's 'Rose in Bloom' because a) she knew Alcott wa...