unsolicited marriage advice

When I blew out the candles on my 7th birthday cake, I wished for one thing -- a sister. (After two brothers, I think I deserved it.) On April 17, 1989, Katie was born, making my wish come true. This Saturday, on the day Blake and I celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary, she is getting married, and by doing so will become my first married sister. I just might be as excited as she is that she is entering this phase of her life. (Don't get me wrong -- my brother's wives are awesome, but there is something different when it's your own flesh and blood.) Today, in celebration of her birthday and her impending wedding, I thought it might be fun to pass along to her some unsolicited marriage advice, a few things I've learned since Blake and I tied the knot six years ago.

For Katie

• Pray and read scriptures together every day. I don't think we've missed a day, and even though I was occasionally half asleep while we did so, I can testify that it has made a difference in the strength of our marriage. The same applies for weekly Family Home Evenings. They don't need to be extravagant, they just need to happen.
  
• When you pray, both together and individually, remember to pray for each other. The bishop of our student ward who counseled with us when we were engaged encouraged us to do this. He told us to be specific in our requests for blessings for our spouse, that the more precise we were, the more our love for each other would grow. He was right.
  
• The honeymoon phase won't last forever, and once you've settled into a routine, you'll likely find things about him that will drive you batty. Do your best, though, to look past them. Nine times out of ten, they will be insignificant and a waste of time to dwell on.
• It's normal and okay to go to bed angry with each other, but it's not okay to go to sleep without giving each other a good night kiss.
• Love notes never get old. Neither do hugs, kisses, and telling each other "I love you."
  
• Find ways to surprise him. You may know him as well as you know yourself, and your routine may be comfortable, but a little something unexpected every now and then adds spice, and spices make everything taste better.
• And speaking of spices...learn to cook for him, and you will make him happy every night.
• Make your home a place you both want to be. Keep it clean, keep it bright, and keep the spirit there.
• Remember the details. Write them down. They will be fun to talk about later.

Take this advice as you will, but remember that I love you, Katie, and am so happy for you. You are embarking on a grand adventure, and as my last piece of unsolicited marriage advice, may I suggest that you remember to have fun.

(Also, happy birthday!!)