The Secret to a Long Marriage

Happy weekend, everyone.

As many of you may have heard, my wife and I celebrated 29 years of marriage this week. Naturally, one of the questions we often get is: What’s the secret to a happy marriage?

I can't speak for my wife, but I do have a few thoughts on what’s made our relationship work so well over the years.

Secret #1: Adore your spouse.
My wife’s grandfather used to say about his own wife, “She gets cuter every day.” I’ve always loved that line—and I can honestly say the same about my wife. But there’s more to that comment than just affection or attraction.

To me, “she gets cuter every day” is really a statement of commitment and devotion to the whole person. Yes, my wife is visually beautiful. But she’s also kind, compassionate, intelligent, witty, and full of joy. Her presence brightens the days of everyone around her. I get the immense privilege of seeing that radiance up close—even during the tough days. In fact, it’s her ability to shine during those difficult moments that makes her light even more brilliant. I adore her for all of it: the dark, the light, and everything in between.

Secret #2: Grow together.
My wife is smart, quick-witted, and endlessly curious. I like to think I bring a bit of intelligence to the table too. But the key here isn’t about keeping up—it’s about growing together.

We learn from each other constantly. We encourage one another to push boundaries, try new things, and evolve. Neither of us is the same person we were when we got married—and that’s a good thing. Growth, both personal and shared, is essential. Sometimes we choose it; other times life demands it. Either way, we face it as a team.

Secret #3: Fight together (not each other).
This one might need a double take: Fight together—not fight each other.

Life throws curveballs—raising kids, career pressures, health issues, and so on. But we’ve learned to face challenges side by side. The issue is the problem—not your partner. Stand shoulder-to-shoulder and fight for each other, not against each other.

Secret #4: Be lucky.
As much as we’d like to believe it’s all about effort and communication, there’s an element of luck too. I was lucky enough to find the right person—someone who complements me, challenges me, and loves me for who I am (and who I strive to be). Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good.

So how does this all relate back to the markets?

Well, like any good trader, you learn to:

• Look at the whole picture—not just the day-to-day moves.

• Keep growing—markets change, and so must you.

• Fight the problem—not the market.

• And yes, sometimes in investing (like in love), it’s better to be lucky than good.

Happy anniversary, honey. You really do get cuter every day.