25 people share slightly absurd-sounding marriage advice that is actually worth remembering

No two marriages are alike. What works for one set of spouses might not play out the same way for another. However, there seem to be some general truths about the nature of romantic relationships that apply to a majority of folks who make the big decision to tie the knot and tackle life together. Hoping to raise a discussion on the subject with fellow members of the r/AskMen community last month, Reddit user u/thecountnotthesaint approached the forum with this query: "What random marriage advice sounded absurd but was actually spot-on helpful?"

Nearly 2000 responses filled the thread, with many sharing insightful secrets to a happy marriage that despite sounding a bit odd at first, actually hold much wisdom. Here are the top 25 replies:

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"My father always said that the best thing he and my mother got for their marriage was a king-sized mattress over a queen size. I always thought that was ridiculous until this last month my wife and I needed a new bed. As fate would have it we found a great deal on a king-sized, and spent the extra money. I'll be damned if that wasn't one of the best decisions we made aside from getting married and having kids. The extra room is awesome, we can snuggle, or have some space, after sexy time, no one has to sleep in a wet spot, and if our kids try and get in bed with us, there is enough room that no one is getting a kid foot to the face." — thecountnotthesaint

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"When our kid was about to be born, someone told me to change the first diaper. 'If you can handle the first one, the others will be easy.' So I did. I didn't know what I was doing, so I asked the nurse at the hospital to teach me, and I changed the first several diapers while my wife recovered from a difficult labor.

The advice was correct, no other diaper was as disgusting as the first one. It got very easy and I never minded doing it, and my wife was really really grateful. And I loved that I could take on some of the parenting chores since there was so much that she was the only one... equipped to provide." — wordserious

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"Always act like it's the last time you'll see them. Cause it might be. My mother passed last year at 45 from her second bout with cancer. Middle of the night. My dad said he was glad he stayed up later to spend a few more minutes with her. To tell her he loved her. You never know when you'll never see them again.

Also, pride doesn't belong in your marriage, if you have any self-pride leave it at the door. Both you and your partner serve each other and support each other, each putting the other first and accepting that they are giving it their all even if their all isn't what it was last month." — Dwarven_Archer97

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"My step mom just passed away, and dad said something that has profoundly changed my attitude: 'The little things that annoyed me are the things I now miss.' So, yeah... for some reason she squeezes a massive glob of toothpaste which mostly falls into the sink basin and she doesn't wash away the toothpaste spit... fu**ing annoys me. If/when she's gone, that little constant annoyance that reminds me she's there will be gone too. Don't nag on the little things, rather, embrace them. (Still, I let her know... she has made progress on other things I've pointed out, as I try to adapt to her wishes)." — drewkungfu

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"Randomly give your partner a cold beverage on a hot day. It's the little things that show you care." — Purple12inchRuler

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"My fiance always says that 'just because' flowers are the best kind of flowers." — agaribay1010

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"My dad told me 'No matter how right you are about something - stay silent and let her rattle. She'll run out of steam eventually. You've said nothing you regret, nothing that can be held against you, and she's smart enough to figure out you were right, completely on her own. If you're wrong: admit it, apologize, and shut up.

Either way, let her talk. Clearly, women don't fart; therefore we let them vent through bitching, so they don't explode.' They were married for 40 years. He did something right." — Short_Finger_Dizzy

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"Grab each other's butts as often as possible. Keep the flirtation alive." — jollyrogerninja

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