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Secret of longest marriage is saying 'sorry'
Reuters-Yahoo ^ | 5/31/05

Posted on 05/31/2005 11:29:08 AM PDT by Borges

LONDON (Reuters) - A British couple who hold the world record for the longest marriage said Wednesday their success was down to a glass of whisky, a glass of sherry and the word "sorry."

Percy and Florence Arrowsmith married on June 1, 1925 and will celebrate their 80th anniversary Wednesday.

The Guinness World Records said Tuesday the couple held the title for the longest marriage and also for the oldest married couple's aggregate age.

"I think we're very blessed," Florence, 100, told the BBC. "We still love one another, that's the most important part."

Asked for their secret, Florence said you must never be afraid to say "sorry."

"You must never go to sleep bad friends," she said, while Percy, 105, said his secret to marital bliss was just two words: "yes dear."

The couple have three children, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and are planning a party soon.

"I like sherry at lunch time and whisky at night and I'm looking forward very much to my party," said Florence.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: apology; marriage; whipped; yesdear
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1 posted on 05/31/2005 11:29:09 AM PDT by Borges
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To: Borges
Percy, 105, said his secret to marital bliss was just two words: "yes dear."

LOL
2 posted on 05/31/2005 11:31:17 AM PDT by andyk (Go Matt Kenseth!)
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To: Borges
"You must never go to sleep bad friends," she said, while Percy, 105, said his secret to marital bliss was just two words: "yes dear."

No wonder I've been married 22 years. That's my secret too.

3 posted on 05/31/2005 11:31:35 AM PDT by Just another Joe (Monthly donors make better lovers. Ask my wife.)
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To: Borges

Whew! I salute these two Gems!


4 posted on 05/31/2005 11:32:42 AM PDT by Frank_Discussion (May the wings of Liberty never lose a feather!)
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To: cyborg
Percy, 105, said his secret to marital bliss was just two words: "yes dear."

:O)

5 posted on 05/31/2005 11:32:47 AM PDT by Petronski (A champion of dance, my moves will put you in a trance, and I never leave the disco alone.)
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To: andyk
just two words: "yes dear."

My lexicon is slightly larger... I also include the phrases "of course, dear" and "anything you say, dear".

6 posted on 05/31/2005 11:32:48 AM PDT by kevkrom ("Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." -- Alexander Hamilton)
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To: Borges

Proving the famous immortal line in Love Story wrong.....or just plain ridiculous.


7 posted on 05/31/2005 11:32:57 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Borges

He forgot part - yes dear, your right, I'm sorry


8 posted on 05/31/2005 11:34:06 AM PDT by always vigilant (Ignore their heathen prayers and help us blow those bastards straight to hell. - Mel)
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To: Borges

I said "I'm sorry" to my first wife every single day even when she was in the wrong. After a couple of years I was left with two choices. Strangulation or divorce.

I think I made the right choice.


9 posted on 05/31/2005 11:34:31 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Anyone who thinks we believe Hillary on any issue is truly a moron.)
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To: Junior

Yes, dear ping.


10 posted on 05/31/2005 11:35:10 AM PDT by cjshapi
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To: 1Old Pro

'Proving the famous immortal line in Love Story wrong.....or just plain ridiculous.'

"Love means never having to say you're sorry."


11 posted on 05/31/2005 11:35:12 AM PDT by msjhall
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To: cripplecreek
I think I made the right choice.

When do you get out?

12 posted on 05/31/2005 11:36:21 AM PDT by null and void (More people died because newsweek lied.)
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To: cripplecreek

Good Gawd, man, don't keep us in suspense, what did you decide?


13 posted on 05/31/2005 11:36:40 AM PDT by Old Professer (As darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of good; innocence is blind.)
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To: cripplecreek
"...I think I made the right choice...

Which was?????????

14 posted on 05/31/2005 11:36:47 AM PDT by OB1kNOb (Excrementum Occurum)
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To: Borges

Something positive coming out of England for a change. God bless 'em.


15 posted on 05/31/2005 11:37:37 AM PDT by stevio (Red-Blooded American Male)
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To: Borges
Secret of longest marriage is saying 'sorry'

Okay, I'm sorry I got married. Now what?

16 posted on 05/31/2005 11:38:17 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Just another Joe

I taught my 3 boys that.......Yes Dear are the words you must live by.......i guess that is why my marriage has lasted 23 years......


17 posted on 05/31/2005 11:38:49 AM PDT by joe fonebone (We won.......time to do it OUR way!)
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To: Petronski
Percy, 105, said his secret to marital bliss was just two words: "yes dear."

Unless she asks "Does this outfit make my butt look big?"

18 posted on 05/31/2005 11:39:10 AM PDT by No Blue States
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To: OB1kNOb

I chose divorce but Ive pointed out to the second wife that Ive already expended the divorce option. She tells me that she still has both options open to her.


19 posted on 05/31/2005 11:40:03 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Anyone who thinks we believe Hillary on any issue is truly a moron.)
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To: cripplecreek
I said "I'm sorry" to my first wife every single day even when she was in the wrong. After a couple of years I was left with two choices. Strangulation or divorce. I think I made the right choice.

Assuming they never find the body?

20 posted on 05/31/2005 11:41:30 AM PDT by Maceman (The Qur'an is Qur'ap.)
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To: Borges

As I have said in the past, anybody who looks me in the eye and says they want a 'completely honest, open' relationship has never actually beein in a 'completely honest, open' relationship.' :-)


21 posted on 05/31/2005 11:41:38 AM PDT by HitmanLV
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To: cripplecreek
I said "I'm sorry" to my first wife every single day even when she was in the wrong. After a couple of years I was left with two choices. Strangulation or divorce. I think I made the right choice.

Assuming they never find the body?

22 posted on 05/31/2005 11:42:01 AM PDT by Maceman (The Qur'an is Qur'ap.)
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To: No Blue States

Then the man says "yes dear" and the announcer intones "In less time than it takes to unfold the sleeper sofa, you can save a lot of money by switching to Geico."


23 posted on 05/31/2005 11:42:05 AM PDT by Petronski (A champion of dance, my moves will put you in a trance, and I never leave the disco alone.)
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To: kevkrom

If my sweetie said 'of course, dear' or 'anything you say, dear' I'd consider it sarcasm & smack him! ;-)


24 posted on 05/31/2005 11:42:58 AM PDT by Twotone
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To: 1Old Pro

Love Story itself was ridiculous---overhyped movie and VERY overhyped book.

God,this couple amazes me---they even want a party!


25 posted on 05/31/2005 11:43:09 AM PDT by Mears (Keep the government out of my face!)
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To: Borges

I used to miss my ex-girlfriend everyday. But with some solid practice time at the range, my aim got better.


26 posted on 05/31/2005 11:43:53 AM PDT by Petronski (A champion of dance, my moves will put you in a trance, and I never leave the disco alone.)
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To: Borges
Sorry.

I'm sorry I married you.
I'm sorry I married you too dear.
I'm so sorry I'll never give you a divorce.
Same here.

27 posted on 05/31/2005 11:44:33 AM PDT by theDentist (The Dems are putting all their eggs in one basket-case: Howard "Belltower" Dean.)
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To: Twotone
If my sweetie said 'of course, dear' or 'anything you say, dear' I'd consider it sarcasm & smack him!

It is sarcasm. The key is to time it well enough so that she thinks it's just a joke.

28 posted on 05/31/2005 11:45:52 AM PDT by kevkrom ("Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." -- Alexander Hamilton)
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To: Just another Joe

We have been married a little over 34 years. In the beginning, we made an agreement.

I would make all the major descisions and she would make all the minor descisions. So far there have only been minor descisions.


29 posted on 05/31/2005 11:46:17 AM PDT by cajun-jack
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To: joe fonebone

Good man. And I've taught my three girls to settle for nothing less than a man who treats them just like their dad treats me.


30 posted on 05/31/2005 11:46:26 AM PDT by Mygirlsmom (Celebrating 20 years of wedded bliss on 4/20/05. I have much to be thankful for!)
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To: Maceman

I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I had to put her
Six feet under
And I can still hear her complain


I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I knew I miss her
So I had to keep her
She's buried right in my back yard


I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I used to love her, but I had to kill her
She b***hed so much
She drove me nuts
And now I'm happier this way


I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I had to put her
Six feet under
And I can still hear her complain


31 posted on 05/31/2005 11:47:16 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Anyone who thinks we believe Hillary on any issue is truly a moron.)
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To: Borges

I've heard that we face choices in marriage:

You can be right,....or you can be happy.


32 posted on 05/31/2005 11:49:49 AM PDT by truth_seeker
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To: cripplecreek

Boot Hill - Stevie Ray Vaughan

Look up on the wall baby....
Hand me down my shootin' iron
Look up on the wall baby....
Hand me down my shootin' iron
Call your mother long distance....
Tell her to expect your body home

If the city don't bury you baby....
Lord knows the county will
If the city don't bury you baby....
Lord knows the county will
You made your last mistake....
You going way out on that boot hill

Lord I don't want to whacks you darlin'....
'Cause you gave me my first thrill
Lord I don't want to whacks you baby....
'Cause you gave me my first thrill
You did me so wrong....
You're going way out on that boot hill


33 posted on 05/31/2005 11:50:37 AM PDT by Petronski (A champion of dance, my moves will put you in a trance, and I never leave the disco alone.)
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To: Borges
You don't have to say you're sorry if you're never wrong.

At least that's how I explained it to my first wife.

34 posted on 05/31/2005 11:52:45 AM PDT by TravisBickle
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To: cajun-jack
I would make all the major descisions and she would make all the minor descisions. So far there have only been minor descisions.

There is only one major decision in a marriage.
Do you marry THIS one?

(Or was that one minor also?) ;^)

35 posted on 05/31/2005 11:54:01 AM PDT by Just another Joe (Monthly donors make better lovers. Ask my wife.)
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To: Petronski

SRV was awesome I was a fan before blues was cool. I saw him play at some little bar in Texas way back in 84.

Don't make me dig up the lyrics for Alice Coopers "Cold Ethel".


36 posted on 05/31/2005 11:54:20 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Anyone who thinks we believe Hillary on any issue is truly a moron.)
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To: Mears
overhyped movie and VERY overhyped book.

Well, of course it was...it was about Mr. & Mrs. Algore!

:-P

37 posted on 05/31/2005 11:57:06 AM PDT by B Knotts (Viva il Papa!)
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To: Petronski
Reminds me of the old joke:

A man is sitting at a bar, crying and getting plastered. The bartender asked him what was troubling him and he replies that twenty years ago, he almost shot his wife. The bartender asked why that had him so down. He said "Today is the day I would have gotten out of prison."

38 posted on 05/31/2005 11:59:34 AM PDT by smokinleroy
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To: Borges

John Lennon was quoted as saying "love means having to say you're sorry every five minutes," or something like that.


39 posted on 05/31/2005 11:59:47 AM PDT by cvq3842
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To: No Blue States
" Unless she asks "Does this outfit make my butt look big?""

I was at a friends house about 8 years ago and his wife asked that very question. His response was, "No, I think it's your ass that makes it look big." They divorced less than a year later.

40 posted on 05/31/2005 12:01:32 PM PDT by elmer fudd
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To: cripplecreek

My FIRST wife was like that too. 14 years later I've gone from being sorry to feeling sorry for her. Picking the right person before you say "I do" lays the ground work for those inevitable days when you have to say "I'm sorry".


41 posted on 05/31/2005 12:02:08 PM PDT by mad puppy ( "He's with me!" And I'm with W.)
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To: smokinleroy

LOL Good one.


I just heard the other day that my ex-girlfriend needs a liver transplant. I'm not worried though. In twenty years, that woman has never rejected an organ.


42 posted on 05/31/2005 12:02:24 PM PDT by Petronski (A champion of dance, my moves will put you in a trance, and I never leave the disco alone.)
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To: Just another Joe

Works perfect for me as well.


43 posted on 05/31/2005 12:03:15 PM PDT by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
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To: cripplecreek
AND???
44 posted on 05/31/2005 12:04:34 PM PDT by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
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To: Borges

There has to be one person in the relationship who gives in. Period. Two strong-willed people will never make it. Here's how I filter my anger...whenever I'm mad at my husband for something and want to argue about it I say to myself, "Is this the hill I want to die on?" Seriously. Is this issue so important that I would be willing to jeopardize my marriage about it. The answer is always no and it always makse me realize how happy I am to be married to my hubby!!! (no matter how pissed off I am at him at that moment!!!) :)


45 posted on 05/31/2005 12:06:01 PM PDT by Hildy ( The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue)
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To: Petronski

Ouch.

LOL.


46 posted on 05/31/2005 12:09:17 PM PDT by mad puppy ( "He's with me!" And I'm with W.)
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To: Borges

Sigh. I would've had a marriage like this had my wife not been converted by her feminist friends and turned completely masculine.


47 posted on 05/31/2005 12:10:17 PM PDT by Ashamed Canadian (America - please invade us now!)
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To: cripplecreek
I think I made the right choice.

I think you did too. The secret to a happy marriage is having fun together.
...
48 posted on 05/31/2005 12:14:08 PM PDT by mugs99
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To: mad puppy

My ex treated me like a subordinate and I couldn't spend my life like that. My current and final wife treats me as an equal even though she is the primary breadwinner. I run a small business out of my garage because I can't stand for long periods.


I actually enjoy seeing my wife at the end of the day. I like preparing the meals and taking care of the house. I want children and look forward to taking care of them as well.


49 posted on 05/31/2005 12:14:48 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Anyone who thinks we believe Hillary on any issue is truly a moron.)
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To: cripplecreek

So, which was it???


50 posted on 05/31/2005 12:15:04 PM PDT by Jackson57
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