Beating the 7 Year Itch!

In 1955, Marilyn Monroe starred in the movie, The Seven Year Itch, which presented the idea that marriages are doomed at or around the 7th anniversary. This claim is actually supported by census data over the last 60 years, at least in the United States, as most first marriages end in divorce in 8 years.

As we happily celebrated being married for seven years this past weekend, we found 7 ways to beat The Seven Year Itch:

1. Stay at a Romantic Guesthouse

We found the perfect location for our anniversary weekend at the Baan Boo Loo Guesthouse in Chiang Mai. It felt like we were staying in a tree house in the secluded open-air rice barn that had been converted into a comfortable suite. The canopy bed lined with the mosquito net, the simple yet luxurious decor and being surrounded by big beautiful trees made us feel like royalty. We felt special all weekend.

 

2. Get a Massage

After an afternoon nap, we decided to get a massage together at the Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution, where women can practice their new profession before being released back into society. We were lucky enough to get the last two appointments of the day. After an hour of Thai massage we were quite relaxed and comfortable.

 

3. Get Dressed Up

Upon returning to our guesthouse, we were greeted with traditional Lanna (northern Thai) clothing to put on for an anniversary ceremony. We had a good time trying to figure out how to correctly clad our new garb and had fun looking at each other wearing something new.

 

4. Take a Bath

We could not let our deep soaker tub, easily big enough for two, in our suite go to waste! Purple orchid flowers floated on top of the water, as we ate dark chocolate and sipped sparkling apple juice. Perhaps it’s the fact that it had been so long since we had had a bath, but relaxing in the warm water, listening to the crickets chirping and the distant rolls of thunder, was just what our weary bodies needed.

 

5. Make Love

Nothing helps to strengthen the intimacy in a relationship more than making love with the one you love. Marriage is often joked to be the cause of a non-existent sex life. So, be sure to take the time to ensure the flame in the bedroom (or wherever!) remains lit.

6. Renew Your Vows

As per our annual tradition we discussed each of our five vows, mentioning which were particularly difficult in the previous year and what we can work on during the upcoming year. This was followed by renewing our vows to each other. We chose to do this at Wat Umong, our favorite temple in Chiang Mai. Being the rainy season, it poured rain.

 

7. Make a Wish for the Upcoming Year

Every year since we got engaged, we honor a tradition to each throw a penny from our respective countries from the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls. Seeing as we’re not always within driving distance of the Honeymoon Capital of the World, we alter the annual ceremony in a way that works for us. This year, we each threw a Thai Baht coin into the canal in Chiang Mai, making a wish for the upcoming year.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to make another wish and release a sky lantern, which is a Thai tradition reserved for special occasions. Let’s hope that our wishes are heard, either from the water, the air or both!

 

Do you have any other ideas of how to beat the 7 year itch?