To those of you who say, “Heather, you do not write about sex enough,” I am sorry – mostly. ~wink~ As a pre–engagement site, we try to focus on topics more geared towards dating couples who are considering marriage. Sex is something you want to discuss before marriage, but probably not too much in the dating stage. Temptation abounds! ~smile~ Once you are engaged and have a wedding date set, then talk about it; but, do so in the daylight… at a public park… with plenty of people around. Just a suggestion. ~smile~
Today, we offer a short and sweet story we hope you take into your marriage! The first time I heard it, Eric and I had already been married for a couple of years. Believe it or not, my supervisor at the time (a precious lady) is the one who shared it with me and the other ladies in my department – and it’s adorable. Below is the endearing story sent into an Ann Landers column:
Dear Ann Landers: Last weekend, we celebrated my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. This morning, they left on a long-awaited trip to Hawaii. They were as excited as if it were their honeymoon.
When my parents married, they had only enough money for a three-day trip 50 miles from home. They made a pact that each time they made love, they would put a dollar in a special metal box, and save it for a honeymoon in Hawaii.
Dad was a policeman, and Mom was a schoolteacher. They lived in a modest house and did all their own repairs. Raising five children was a challenge, and sometimes, money was short, but no matter what emergency came up, Dad would not let Mom take any money out of the ‘Hawaii account.’ As the account grew, they put it in a savings account, and then, bought CDs.
I can remember Dad coming home and telling Mom, “I have a dollar in my pocket,” and she would smile at him and reply, “I know how to spend it.”
When each of us children married, Mom and Dad gave us a small, metal box and told us their secret, which we found enchanting. All five of us are now saving for our dream honeymoons. Mom and Dad never told us how much money they had managed to save, but it must have been considerable, because when they cashed in those CDs, they had enough for airfare to Hawaii, plus, hotel accommodations for 10 days, and plenty of spending money.
As they told us goodbye before leaving, Dad winked and said, “Tonight, we are starting an account for Cancun. That should only take 25 years.” — A Loving Daughter in Abilene, Texas
Purchase or Create Your Own Box
Not surprisingly, this story wedged its way into my long-term memory. Sometimes, couples are not able to take the trip of a lifetime when they are newlyweds, but what a wonderful way to save money.
- Buy a metal box. Or pick out a box and decorate it yourself. Save up some one-dollar bills and take them on your honeymoon. If you want to adjust for inflation, I suppose you can take five-dollar bills instead. ~smile~
- Plan your dream honeymoon. If you can, have a fantastic honeymoon right after your wedding; but, while you are on your honeymoon, start “saving” for your next honeymoon. Talk about it together. Discuss where you would like to go and then put a picture of your dream location inside your special box.
- Adopt the phrases, “I have a dollar.” “I know how to spend it.” It is just so sweet. ~smile~
- Never stop saving! Saving money in your special box may not take much effort when you are newlyweds; but, as jobs get tougher, children come, and unexpected bills pile up, filling your box will take planning and determination. Prioritize it always. It will be nice for your vacation fund but even nicer for your marriage.
- Take a tip from the husband in this story. The going might get tough, but do not dip into the honeymoon fund! Save money and be as wise as possible with your finances; but, let that metal box remain sacred.
- Keep your box a secret until your children get married. I love how the parents kept their honeymoon fund a secret until their children were married. Even though they did not tell the kids how they were saving their money, I am sure they created an affectionate home and cultivated a healthy view of sex for their children. That is a gift all by itself!
- Consider making this your trademark wedding gift. Among the cards and white packages on the reception gift table can be a beautiful (seemingly random) box. Inside, place a card with the instructions for how to use the box – or even just a copy of the Ann Landers entry. I guarantee you it will stand out in their minds (and probably get plenty of use)!
In a world which often perverts the beautiful physical relationship God intended when he created mankind, it is so refreshing to hear a sweet story about a couple who not only enjoyed sex in their marriage, but never stopped investing in that relationship. If you have heard horror stories about sex ending after several years of marriage, take heart! If you make it a priority, it can continue for a lifetime. Health struggles may cause challenges along the way, but you and your partner can find a way to keep the spark alive.
Love to you all. Buy your box and dream about the day when you can start filling it with the love of your life.
What other creative stories have you heard about celebrating the marriage bed?
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