Mr. and Mrs. Bourland (35 years)

Marriage is about two people growing together

***********************************

 

Lenita Bourland has known her husband, Michael for 36 years. They were married on May 17, 1978. Praying together and keeping the romance alive have kept these to sweethearts married for 35 years.

 

 

Oklahoma, USA

 

1. What qualities did you see in this person that made you want to marry him/her?  

*Michael stole my heart because he was caring and mannerly. He opened my car door for me and said "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am".  He also treated his mom and grandmother with respect. He was a Christian and attended church regularly. As you can see, there were several qualities in Michael that told me that he was the one!

2. How do you keep the romance going? What are some things that you enjoy doing as a couple?

*We keep the romance by doing the little things...flowers, cards and candy for special occasions and special gifts in between...always appreciating each other and looking at their qualities. We enjoy going to church together, shopping, senior group activities, traveling, camping and going on trips. We frequent health fairs, state fairs, home improvement shows or we share a bowl of popcorn and have movie night at home.

3. What is your favorite part of marriage?

* My favorite part of marriage is knowing when you wake up in the morning you will not be alone.

4. What is the most important aspect in a marriage to make it successful?

*The most important aspect of marriage is communication. Don't guess what the other means or expect them to read your mind.

5. Life often throws many curveballs, and those that make it through those tough times stay together. How have you dealt with stressful times that arise?

* We have dealt with the stressful times by prayer and church attendance. Staying there for each other and realizing it's your problem together. When things get too tough, go out for the evening and don't think about the problems until the next day.

6. Marriage isn't always a cakewalk. What advice can you offer newly engaged couples when disagreements occur?

* When you have a disagreement don't yell about it, sit down and discuss it. Go out to dinner and talk about it. Never go to bed angry and look at his side...often the other side may be the right one.

7. What do you see as the strengths of your marriage?

 * Our strength- we do not get tired of each other. I have heard of couples retiring and getting upset because their spouse is constantly there, for us it is like a second honeymoon!! For 34 years we only saw each other a few hours in the evening but now we get to truly enjoy our marriage. We also like having fun...just last week we were doing laundry together and had a sock fight. Make everything fun!!

9. Lenita, what do you LOVE about your husband?

* I like his caring personality, he still holds open my car door, his looks (even though he's aged lol), he goes to church with me & agrees with me 95% of the time...

10. What advice would you give newlyweds?

* Never go to sleep angry, pray every day together, and don't take life for granted. Marriage is not about having kids; it is not about sex or love. Marriage is about two people growing together, becoming one, attending church, working together and trusting each other completely.

11. What song best describes your marriage?

 * How Great Thou Art because what it's all about is putting God First ††