advice for a generation

As I was speaking with a gentleman I was ringing out, he mentioned that his wife had died some years ago. I apologized and I asked him how long they had been married– 31 years. Amazing. On his way out, I asked him, “What is your advice for my generation?” He said, “I’ll tell you what my parents always told me… there are three “l”s to live by: love, laughter, and loyalty. Every relationship needs them, especially a marriage.”

So that’s it: love, laughter, and loyalty.

Marcello (on marriage)

“If she takes care of her mother and father, she’ll take care of you. If she doesn’t care about her parents, she doesn’t care about you.” -Marcello (married for seven years)

Marcello is a remarkably patient man. He and his wife have known each other for 11 years. He loves dogs. He is from Brasil but lives in the U.S. now. He misses Brasil sometimes and wishes he had more family where he lives.