Comments on: Secrets to a great marriage: Ask the Fords

By: Terry & Bruce Morgan

Terry & Bruce Morgan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:30:11 +0000

Congratulations! Amazing accomplishment…we want your secrets! T & B

By: Dawn Ford

Dawn Ford — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:02:34 +0000

Cynthia was so kind to write such a lovely story about our marriage and I have enjoyed reading the comments. We know many couples with great marriages and Cynthia and Alan are certainly among them. In fact they could offer us all some tips.

By: Cynthia Moxley

Cynthia Moxley — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:28:47 +0000

Thanks, Bonny - and everyone else who’s posted so far. Dawn told me she is checking in, too. Lots of good thoughts on a successful marriage. (I’ll keep you posted on Rexie. She is a mess, for sure.)

By: Bonny Millard

Bonny Millard — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:08:32 +0000

Cynthia,

I loved this post, particularly since I have gotten to know Dawn some. (It is a small world.) In the last few weeks, I have found The Blue Streak and really enjoy reading it. You have an entertaining writing style, and I like the view of Downtown Knoxville life.

Please share more on Rexie’s adventures. Us cat lovers want to know!

By: Alan Carmichael

Alan Carmichael — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:06:32 +0000

Richard and Dawn are a great couple. They both have a great sense of humor. Oh, the stories I could tell. I love it when they argue; it’s always: “Snookums, I think you’re wrong about that” and “No, dear, I am right about it.” Dawn likes a good party and so does Richard. Richard likes to golf, and Dawn lets him - after he does his honey-dos. One time I called Richard about playing golf, and Dawn answered the phone. “Alan Carmichael! If I tell Richard you are calling, the next sound i will hear will be golf clubs being thrown into the back of the car! He has to finish cleaning out the garage.” We developed a code for golf phone calls, but unfortunately Dawn broke the code. We love them, and Richard and I are working on a new password.

By: Ranee Randby

Ranee Randby — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:27:43 +0000

Dawn and Richard are two of the most genuine, upbeat, smart, resourceful, and just downright fun people you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. What a wonderful tribute to wonderful people! We’re happy to have them as friends and neighbors. — Ranee and Cary

By: Tami Hartmann

Tami Hartmann — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:08:16 +0000

I have been married to my best friend for nearly 28 years and I concur with the Ford’s keys to success. I think the most important factors in a happy marriage are communication, mutual respect and support, friendship and of course being ‘just crazy’ about each other! A good marriage takes work, a little give and take, but the benefits are definitely worth it.

By: Michelle Henry

Michelle Henry — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:02:30 +0000

What a great love story! My husband David and I are celebrating our 26th anniversary this month. One piece of advice our pastor gave us has stood out in my mind through the years. He said, “Marriage is not a 50-50 proposition. You both have to give 100 percent. There will be times when one of you can’t give their all, and it will be up to the other one to carry the load.” Before our ceremony, David was a nervous wreck, and I was calm, cool and collected. When the ceremony arrived, however, I was shaking so badly that David had to help me hold the wedding bouquet steady. It’s been that way ever since. When one of us is weak, the other is strong. It takes true commitment and real partnership. And, a good sense of humor never hurts!

By: Lauren Christ

Lauren Christ — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:53:45 +0000

What a beautiful testament of marriage! While I am not married, I have been blessed to have similar examples of good marriages in my life, especially that of my parents and that of my older sister and her husband. They’ve shown me that marriage is a partnership that involves daily compromise and that faith and commitment to each other are paramount – especially in hard times. My sister and her husband tried to have children for 15 years. While I know they were discouraged during this time, they supported each other unconditionally, and the experience strengthened their marriage despite the constant disappointment. Finally, their doctor told them that it was “impossible” for them to have children naturally. They never lost faith, however, and three months after they were told “impossible” – and 15 years after saying “I do” – my sister found out she was pregnant. They now have two healthy, happy boys: 2 ½-year-old Josiah and 20-month-old Ezra… who are very spoiled by their aunts and grandparents!

By: Steve Horton

Steve Horton — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:48:02 +0000

Ogden Nash said it best: To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the loving cup, whenever you’re wrong admit it, whenever you’re right, shut up.