Sixty

CAFFECTION.com

What an odd feeling waking up with the realization that one is 60!  All manner of thoughts crowd in: I can't possibly be 60; I can't possibly NOT be 40 anymore; this means the next biggie is, gulp, 70!; I'm running out of time; I now have the best time to get real work done; I can't wait to not have to work ever again; and finally (for now) "this explains why I'm tired all the time."

So here's the best way to celebrate 60: revel in it, in the latitude it grants you, in the truly vast amount of experience and understanding you've acquired.  Don't assume there's little time left--or there may be, and take your own advice about living every single blessed day like you should have been doing at 16 and thought everyone slept till 11 a.m. like you did.

By the way, Mariah has outdone herself; Cherry Ridge Retreat is way beyond wonderful into, well, perfect.  Best B'day ever, dear one, thank you from the bottom of my ancient heart.  I love you.  Can't wait to see what you have in store for 100.  

Romantic getaway

CAFFECTION.com

So here's another advantage of being married to your best friend; a romantic getaway to a cabin in the hills--cooking out (or in) hot tub, hiking, canoeing by candlelight, no kids, no pets, no visitors, no stress.   And if it rains?  So much the better.

Caffection--a three syllable word for marital bliss.  You can look it up.

But you can't look us up this weekend, because we'll be hiding in the hills till Monday.   

A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short. 

Andre Maurois

Independence!

CAFFECTION.com

Happy 4th of July!  Here's hoping everyone has fireworks in their relationship, liberty in their lives, and independence in their spirit.  

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands--one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.

Winston Churchill said it best: "Democracy is a very poor form of government; but it's much better than anything else ever tried."

And while we're at it, let's celebrate our marriages, because a caffected marriage is fireworks, liberty, and independence all rolled into one.

Affirmations

CAFFECTION.com

Affirmations, we’ve all heard of them, but can they really help build a stronger relationship?  You bet they can, and here’s an easy way to do it.  Each week we’ll share an affirmation on the Caffection! Married To My Best Friend website (stay tuned for launch details) and a tool for its use.  Until then, a handwritten note that says I love my mate will work, fold it & keep it in your pocket. Pull it out, or touch it at least 3 times a day, silently repeat the affirmation and send a blessing to your mate.

There are other times your affirmations can come in handy.  When negative people are unavoidably in our environment and become critical or begin to complain, let that trigger your brain to remember the affirmation in your pocket.  You may also want to add a mutual goal on the back to focus on as well.  Ours is:  Our focus is creating MTMBF.  We know many couples will ‘get’ caffected.  Refuse to get sucked into the negative wave of emotion by shifting your focus to a positive: your mate and your mutual goal.  When you’re back together, share how many times that day you had to do this mental state change. You’ll be amazed at how often you’ll have the opportunity to flip your attention to what your focus in life is.  Soon this intimate ritual will become second nature. This practice is very bonding, and a great way to build CAFFECTION!  When it sends a spark of positive energy through your body; SMILE.  People may look at you strange, Let them wonder.  You know.  No need to explain, you’re married to your best friend.  Everyone should have a love like this!

What we do

CAFFECTION.com

It has come to our attention that our mission, our BIG WHY is somewhat ambiguous, that our goal is undefined.  Since everyone has a big WHY, whether they realize it or not, a life story that propels them forward forcing them out of bed each morning, we'll attempt to clarify ours. It's somewhat easier when the BIG WHY is shared between two people who are crazy about each other, which brings us to the first point.

And here it is: we believe in marriage.  As it says in our attached statement, we believe that those who choose to be married should be married to their best friend.  There's no more gentle, fulfilling life than to share a marriage with the one person you love so deeply you cannot imagine being without them.  Our mission is this simple: Marriage is good; everyone should be married to their best friend.  

We are not pro-gay, pro-straight, pro-Irish, or pro-bono.  We are pro-marriage, passionately, and period.  But to clarify further, for this very reason we believe that to deny this blissful state to those who happen to be of the same gender is not only misguided and discriminatory, it is un-Christian, and simply wrong.  Further, we believe it is, at all events, none of our business what two people in love with each other decide between themselves.  This is not a religious, moral, or ethical case; this is a legal case, in a country whose very foundation is cemented in law, not religion.  This separation is what sets us apart from theocratic countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq.  

So our BIG WHY is to celebrate marriage.  Period.  Whoever is married to their best friend has our congratulations, and our gratitude for accentuating the elite status of a stable, happy 'caffected' marriage.