The Secret to a Long Marriage

@moffittjc (121217)
Gainesville, Florida
April 13, 2016 9:47pm CST
In a large staff meeting today at work, a co-worker casually mentioned that it was his 40th wedding anniversary, and the boss called him up in front of everyone to not only congratulate him, but ask him how he was able to do it. He pondered the question for a minute, and then responded, "Dancing!" He then walked over to where a few younger employees were sitting, and addressing them, he said, "The secret to a long, lasting marriage is dancing. Make a point to dance as much as you can!" Then, walking down the aisle, he continued, "In the 40 years we have been married, my wife and I have never missed a week where we didn't go dancing. Every single week, for 40 years, we went dancing. In fact, we went dancing twice a week!" The audience was captivated, as he continued. "Week in and week out, without fail, we'd always go dancing on Tuesdays and Fridays." He stopped and paused for a minute, as his focused his gaze off in the distance, clearly reminiscing over the past four decades. Then he continued in a serious tone, "Yep, we'd go dancing every Tuesday and Friday. Her on Tuesdays, me on Fridays!" He then sat down. After a few seconds of people trying to absorb and make sense of what had just happened, the crowd burst out laughing! He really had us good on that one, and caught us by surprise at the end with the punchline to his joke!
31 people like this
30 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Apr 16
The real secret to a long and successful marriage amounts to those three magic words, "Yes my dear".
5 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Apr 16
@moffittjc I understood that it was common knowledge.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
@Asylum It might be common knowledge in England, but it certainly isn't common knowledge here in the US! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Apr 16
You are so right! But how come so many millions of men worldwide can never figure that out!
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
14 Apr 16
That's funny. After reading your title I was looking for some tips! I've only been married for 50 years.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc Thanks - 51 years in June
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
@jaboUK My parents hit 50 years this July!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
i think you should be the one offering the rest of us tips! Congrats on 50 years!
2 people like this
@patgalca (18341)
• Orangeville, Ontario
14 Apr 16
Nothing wrong with dancing around the house. I do that. Unfortunately hubby won't join me... and he is the former professional dancer. Actually, that's the key. He is a better dancer than me therefore he doesn't want to dance with me. I'm not exaggerating. We just had this discussion earlier this week.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
I have to say, I don't think I've ever just danced around the house! That might be a little weird for a guy to do! I will admit that I do quite a bit of singing when no one is around! lol
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18341)
• Orangeville, Ontario
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc I like to put music on while I'm cooking. Nothing like making a few dance moves while waiting for a pot of water to boil.
1 person likes this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
14 Apr 16
I love couples like that. They probably stay together with a lot of patience, joking, and maybe even being separated. HAHAHA It's nice to see old couples still walking together or holding each other's hands. It makes you believe in good and in love.
3 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc Hmmm... No, I know what you mean. LOL As long as you don't follow them home it's okay.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
@mommaj I don't think I could ever follow an elderly couple home, they're just too damn slow!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
I think that is the cutest thing seeing older couples still giddy with love, even after all those years! I love seeing elderly couples holding hands, hugging, and kissing! (okay, that last part came out a little weird and probably makes me look like some sort of creeper now! lol)
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (468766)
• Switzerland
14 Apr 16
That was a great joke. Many people think that the secret of a long marriage is not to stay together too much. I am married from 42 years, we have worked together (in the same room) for all that time.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (468766)
• Switzerland
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc It has not always been easy, it's hard to work together.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
Wow, that must be a really strong bond! Congratulations for 42 years of marriage, and for being able to put up with your spouse for that long in the same room!
2 people like this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
14 Apr 16
Lucky you,
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60794)
• Perth, Australia
1 Jun 16
@moffittjc lol I figured that's where this was heading. Sounds like a fun dude.
2 people like this
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
14 Apr 16
when i started reading your post, i said "oh no, im screwed." haha nice one.
1 person likes this
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
16 Apr 16
@moffittjc no im not. i took the dancing part literally at first..
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Apr 16
@MGjhaud It's okay, I'm not married either!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
Are you married?
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Apr 16
LOL - That sounds like something that my parents would say ... that and the "selective hearing".
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc As long as you choose the right things to selectively hear, I think that you might be right.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
Maybe selective hearing is the real key to a long-lasting marriage! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
@purplealabaster That's the key...knowing what things to hear and pay attention to, and what things you can just totally ignore!
1 person likes this
@joygracia (1325)
• Philippines
14 Apr 16
Its still vague for me to imagine myself staying in a relationship that long considering I have had 4 experiences of heartaches and still single at the current. ;(
1 person likes this
@joygracia (1325)
• Philippines
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc I pray and hope someday.. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
Sorry to hear that. I hope you find the true love you are looking for!
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
15 Apr 16
How can that be , when they danced on separate days .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
18 Apr 16
@moffittjc Yes, i know .
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
It was a joke. He was saying the reason they were so happy and stayed married for so long was because they went out dancing with other people! lol
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Apr 16
What a great and very humorous response he had. What a funny thing!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
That would have been great advice for me to know BEFORE I went through my divorce! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic I'm coming up on 4 years (dating, not remarriage)! lol
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc You and me both (though I am happily remarried for nearly nine years).
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
14 Apr 16
Oh dang, now that's a good one @moffittjc .
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
Shall we dance then?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
@nanette64 With my bad back, I don't think we should do any type of dancing that has the word "twist" in it! lol Just kidding, I don't have a bad back. Let's do the Tango!
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc LOL, Cha-cha, Tango or the Twist?
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10034)
• Philippines
14 Apr 16
Better than going on separate vacations. Cheaper too.
2 people like this
• United Kingdom
14 Apr 16
Haha!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
Let me know in 40-50 years if dancing worked in your marriage! Or humor. Let me know if either worked! lol
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc I shall let you know
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
@annaroselock Thank you! Of course, it will be too late for me to do anything about it at that point, but let's just say I hope it works for you!
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
14 Apr 16
Oh that was a good one she went dancing on Tuesday and he went dancing on Friday. Well at least they didn't get bored with each other.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc Very true being apart might just be the answer.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
Probably being apart several days a week made them appreciate each other more when they were together.
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
14 Apr 16
hilarious! they both get to do what they want with different people.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc great point!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
As long as it didn't lead to any hanky-panky with those other people....
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
14 Apr 16
Oh indeed have your own hobbies and interests are key to any healthy relationship
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc indeed, sometimes just leave them to it..could do wonders xD
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
And each spouse has to be supportive of the other spouse's interests or hobbies. Not saying you have to like them, but just be supportive of them pursuing their hobbies.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317027)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
14 Apr 16
That was good. My parents did go dancing a lot in their early years. They loved it especially the Polka. They're probably dancing in heaven right now. It wouldn't surprise me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 16
I remember my own parents going out dancing every Friday night. My brother and I loved it because we got to stay up extra late!
1 person likes this
@just4him (317027)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
15 Apr 16
@moffittjc My parents went right after church. They went to a dance program that was actually televised so we could watch them on the dance floor. They were pretty good dancers.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (336680)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Apr 16
Isn't that great? Vince and his mates said if they won Lotto they'd buy new golf clubs. Vince's would be in Hawaii, his best mates in Scotland, etc, etc.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Apr 16
That sounds like a wonderful plan! How do I get in on this action? I want to golf in Hawaii and Scotland! lol
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
16 Apr 16
LOL That was good! I think couples should divide their time equally between activities they do together and seperately. The way they lose their own interests during the relationship is what later cause the rift.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121217)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Apr 16
That is very good advice! It's too bad so many couples don't realize this.
1 person likes this