We love our “Words of Wisdom” feature where long-married couples get to share their take on what makes a successful marriage. Sometimes poignant, often funny, but always right on the mark.
In our current issue of Real Weddings Magazine, we feature Dean and Janice Labadie, owners of Weddings by Strelitizia, Strelitzia Flower Company, and J&D Wholesale Flowers, who are celebrating 41 wonderful years of marriage!
We asked this Sacramento couple, “What advice or wisdom would you share with couples getting married today?”
Here, Janice’s “Words of Wisdom:”
“I recently asked my husband of 41 years, “Dean, what words come to mind for you as advice toward making a marriage work?”
He responded, “Compromise, compassion, and understanding.”
I sat with that for a long moment, grateful we never gave up.
Even when I feel the earth shake with seemingly overwhelming challenges, I am reminded of the movie Gone with the Wind when Scarlett O’Hara stands, fist upward, and proclaims, “Tomorrow is another day!”
Our marriage is an anomaly in that we have always been hooked at the hip. We’ve done everything together, from decades as small business owners, farming 100 acres, 20 years of harvesting mistletoe, and 30 years playing music in our bluegrass band.
Support comes from our employees who see us as human beings. We don’t worry so much when our life is laid bare in front of them.
Support also comes in knowing we have earned goodwill and civic currency by being active in our community for 54 years. That’s value added.
Our closeness has come full circle and is tied to the quality of our affection.
For us, love everlasting is tethered to our commitment to…Never Giving Up!
—Janice Labadie
Photo by Samantha Wooten Widlund
