An Ordinary Day...

Wednesday, April 12th started off as an ordinary day. The alarm sounded off at 6:00 a.m. like it always did. Reggie did his work day morning ritual, showering, grooming, selecting a suit and accessorizing with the perfect accents for Read more

Why are some people mean?

Why are some people mean? I'm not talking about a little mean, but bazaar, go out of their way to be mean. Recently I've encountered a few mean people, I remind myself that these situations will make me a stronger Read more

Maldives

Our last trip of 2016 was to the Maldives. Last year was one full of excursions, We traveled to Cameroon, Paris, Bali, Hawaii, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Lake Tahoe, Atlanta, Napa, San Francisco, Dubai, and I must say Read more

Quote

It's okay to venture out of your comfort zone... Lately I've been doing it quite often. This weekend is going to be one of renewal, my personal Super Bowl. What are your plans? I will be working today and tomorrow. Happy Read more

Do you enjoy yourself?

Both of my kids are in New York, my son is in school in the Hudson Valley and my daughter is living in Brooklyn and working. So we are officially empty nesters, and have been so for a while Read more

secrets to a good marriage

Is Marriage Forever?

Posted on by Gigi in Weddings 2 Comments

A month ago we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, definitely a milestone for us. This past weekend my in-laws celebrated their 90th birthdays and 71 years of marriage.

Mom & Dad Sampson 90 years young...

Mom & Dad Sampson
90 years young…

When my mother-n-law was my age they had already be married 36 years! We’re at an age where we are now going to weddings of our friends children, while at the same time many long term marriages are dissolving.

Kyndall & James

Kyndall & James

lovely couple

lovely couple (our friend’s daughter)

My in-laws got married when they were 19, when I think about my early relationships I know I would have had a least 1 maybe 2 divorces under my belt by now. Being a late bloomer, I had no clue what I even wanted in a relationship or partner, but somehow I knew that some of the choices I had made were wrong on so many different levels. At 30 I was certainly not the 20 something year old going in a million different directions, being the “pleaser” in one sided relationships. I had gained the confidence to know I was a “prize” and did not have to settle, just because…

Doing the math I don’t think we will be around to celebrate 70 years, but I will embrace each day like it is our last.

Gigi & Reggie

Gigi & Reggie 25 years anniversary

I was in awe of my in-laws and their lasting love–something that is becoming so rare. Check out this short clip of my father-n-law’s tribute to his wife.

Marriage like any other relationships take work, you have to be an active participant and make things happen. You and your partner have to be willing to change and grow and continue to accept one another, be honest, and most of all be willing to forgive. Any one who has been married a long time has experienced “rough patches”, but the key is being able smooth them out. You have to understand who this person is you married…and not try and transform them to who you didn’t marry. You have to know what is worth fighting about and when to just “shut up”.

For example I LOVE to TRAVEL, if I were to wait on my husband to plan a trip we would not go anywhere, but since I know that I make sure I am proactive and plan things. I did not marry the person who is going to surprise me and whisk me away to an exotic location, and that is okay.

Patera Elephant Farm

Patera Elephant Farm

I also know that some marriages end. Some are impossible, just BIG mistakes. I came from a broken family and now that I am an adult, I see clearly why my parents could have never stayed married–sad but true. I am grateful that my mom was able to relocate with 4 kids to California and start a new life.

My mother and father early 1960's

My mother and father early 1960’s

Every marriage is different and each one has a different formula to keep it going. My humble advice is to always work on “self” being the best “you”, stay “market” ready, be interesting and continue to grow, be in tune with your partner, keep it “sexy”, know that it is okay if you give more sometimes and lastly always make time for each other.

Have a wonderful weekend, we will be heading to Temecula for a wedding (daughter of one of our dear friends).

XOXO,

Gigi

 


25 Tips for a Happy Marriage

Posted on by Gigi in My Life 6 Comments
Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 Kauai

25 years ago I said “I Do” to my soulmate for life. We have been through a lot together, I have experienced the happiest moments in my life with this man, and some of the saddest, birthed 2 children, traveled around the world, ran 4 marathons, 1 triathlon, biked around the big island of Hawaii, baked more brownies than I care to remember, raised a few furry children, got involved in a pyramid scheme, made money , lost money, turned vegan and shared lots of laughs together.

25 years later July 23, 2014

25 years later July 23, 2014

 

As I reflect on the past 25 years, I thought about why am I still crazy about this man? I came up with my list  of 25 tips for a happy marriage. I’m not an expert, but these are things that have worked for us.

Not in any particular order:

#1. FORGIVE and FORGET.

# 2. Live YOUR version of a “Love Story”.

# 3. Love yourself, but don’t be Selfish.

Hubby Reggie

Hubby Reggie

# 4. Make your OWN family traditions…Love your extended families, but establish a few rituals of your own.

# 5. Evolve and “be a creature like no other” embrace your own changes as well as your partner’s- being stagnant is not interesting or attractive.

# 6. Prepare “real” food with all your heart and soul. There is something sensuous about preparing food for your lover.

Reggie & Gigi

Reggie & Gigi

# 7. Always DATE- It is easy to get into a rut, but make it happen, get a sitter, do whatever you have to do in order to spend time as a couple.

# 8. Commit to the journey, the ride may will get rocky, but HOLD ON!!!

Gigi & Reggie

Gigi & Reggie

# 9. Have FAITH and BELIEVE in something.

# 10. Nurture your family ie. your children, but don’t forget each other.

# 11. Work at your marriage and the magic will happen- No Work No Magic.

I would say yes again...

I would say yes again…

# 12. Prioritize – What is really important? Don’t get it twisted…

# 13. Remember ROMANCE CAN LAST…don’t pay attention to the cynics, non-believers and those that are bitter.

# 14. Indulge each other in WHATEVER -at least sometimes.

Happy

Have Fun pretend to get married again …

# 15. Celebrate each other…birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s or just because.

#16. Be in “touch” and communicate-be available for one another-don’t be elusive- and TOUCH each other…

#17. LISTEN, LISTEN & LISTEN and THINK, THINK & THINK and then SPEAK SPEAK & SPEAK…

love this one

love this one

# 18. Travel near and far, especially places where you don’t speak the language, get out and explore this world we live in.

#19.  Make your house a home- create a comforting space  that you both look forward to.

# 20. Be desirable for each other- be the best version of “you”, look pretty, smell fresh, take care of your body, groom yourself, wear pretty lingerie or not…

Love this man

Love this man

# 21. CARE for each other…Be there when your mate is down, physically, mentally, financially…just be there.

# 22. Learn to savor moments–the older I get, the more I know that tomorrow is not promised.

# 23. Don’t let things get old and tired–literally and figuratively — you are in control.

Laugh

Laugh

# 24. Laugh, Laugh and LAUGH–Don’t be so serious.

# 25. Eat Love, Drink Love, Live Love, and most of all MAKE LOVE!

US

US

Here is a behind the scene video of my anniversary  photo shoot that my talented son surprised me with…

As I celebrate my Silver Anniversary–I wish all you much love…

XOXO.

Gigi

 

 

 


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers:




Designed by: Kgrafix Creative Design