Two Seats One Life

Life’s Better When Shared.

Author: Ellen Dee

  • EFFORT Matters: 30 Quotes for a Lasting Marriage

    EFFORT Matters: 30 Quotes for a Lasting Marriage

    Does the love last because it’s perfect – or because it’s persistent?

    Marriage is like signing up for a lifelong adventure… full of dirty clothes on the floor, last-piece-of-fried-chicken battles, and meals that taste… questionable. Sometimes you’re cleaning up messes your partner made right after you just cleaned, or waiting up for them while slowly falling asleep, only to wake up to more chaos. Laundry piles, mysterious crumbs, and forgotten dishes? Yep, that’s the reality.

    But here’s the thing: despite the mess, the weirdness, and the late-night arguments over nothing, marriage can be amazing—if you’re willing to give it your 100% effort every single day. It’s about laughing together, forgiving easily, showing up even when tired, and still choosing each other… every. single. day.

    In this post, I’ll share the EFFORT framework filled with surprisingly insightful quotes for couples who want to build a strong, lasting marriage while laughing at the chaos along the way.

    Ready to Give Your 100%? Start Here!

    E – Engage with Love: Keep the Spark Alive

    When we first got married, I thought love would magically keep itself alive. Spoiler: it doesn’t. I quickly realized that a sleepy “good morning” text, making coffee the way my partner actually likes it (not how I think they like it), and stealing ten minutes to talk about our day before bed are what really matter.

    It’s the small gestures—the kind that don’t cost anything and often get ignored—that make you feel like a team. Even on days when the laundry is piled high and someone forgot deodorant before work, choosing to engage with love keeps the spark alive.

    1. “A great marriage is not when the perfect couple comes together, it is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” — Dave Meurer
    2. “The best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.” — Dalai Lama
    3. “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” — Robert A. Heinlein
    4. “Marriage is not a noun; it’s a verb. It isn’t something you get. It’s the way you love your partner every day.” — Barbara De Angelis

    F – Foster Teamwork: Row Together, Even When You’re Off Beat

    Marriage is teamwork, but it’s not always graceful. Sometimes it feels like we’re rowing a boat, one of us backwards, one of us distracted by Instagram, and somehow we still have to steer through life.

    Early on, we learned to divide chores fairly—whoever cooks, the other washes; whoever folds laundry, the other vacuums. And we celebrate the small wins: surviving IKEA furniture assembly without tears, or folding fitted sheets without questioning our life choices. Teamwork isn’t just efficiency—it’s surviving everyday chaos together with a laugh instead of a scowl.

    1. “The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together.” — Robert C. Dodds
    2. “Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years.” — Simone Signoret
    3. “The greatest marriages are built on teamwork, mutual respect, a healthy dose of admiration, and a never-ending portion of love and grace.” — Fawn Weaver
    4. “Marriage is not 50-50; divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100-100. It isn’t dividing everything in half, but giving everything you’ve got!” — Dave Willis
    5. “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” — Victor Hugo
    6. “Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.” — Elliot Arnold

    F – Feed the Love: Show Up Even on the Hard Days

    Some days, showing love is simple: a “thinking of you” text, heating up leftover pizza, or filling the car with gas. Other days, it’s harder because we’re tired, cranky, or hungry (hangry, honestly). But showing up consistently—even when you don’t feel romantic—is the secret to long-lasting marriage. Apologizing for small mistakes, even with a goofy grin or playful elbow, keeps the bond alive. Love isn’t always grand—it’s persistence, presence, and remembering the little things even when life is messy.

    1. “The difference between an ordinary marriage and an extraordinary marriage is in giving just a little ‘extra’ every day, as often as possible, for as long as we both shall live.” – Fawn Weaver
    2. “Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.” — Ursula K. Le Guin
    3. “A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day.” — André Maurois
    4. “Marriage is a commitment that requires effort and communication. Sometimes, it also requires a little creativity.” — Pravin Agarwal

    O – Overcome Together: Love Through Imperfections

    Marriage is full of moments that test patience. Socks on the floor, dishes in the sink, forgetting to take out the trash—these are daily mini-drama opportunities. Overcoming them together means picking battles wisely, forgiving quickly, and sometimes laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

    We started doing weekly five-minute check-ins: one annoyance, one win. It sounds simple, but it prevents tiny irritations from building into silent resentment. Honestly, some weeks it’s miraculous we still like each other—but we do, and that’s the point.

    1. “A successful marriage isn’t the union of two perfect people. It’s that of two imperfect people who have learned the value of forgiveness and grace.” — Darlene Schacht
    2. “A strong marriage requires loving your spouse even in those moments when they aren’t being lovable; it means believing in them even when they struggle to believe in themselves.” — Dave Willis
    3. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou
    4. “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” — Mignon McLaughlin
    5. “A marriage without conflicts is almost as inconceivable as a nation without crises” — André Maurois

    R – Relish Friendship: Laugh, Play, and Be Silly

    The best part of marriage? Friendship. Our living room has seen kitchen dance-offs, impromptu karaoke sessions, and ridiculous debates about whose turn it is to do laundry. Inside jokes, playful rituals, and silly Friday night traditions—like pizza for dinner and bad movies—keep us laughing and remind us why we became friends in the first place. Being weird together isn’t optional; it’s essential. If you can be fully ridiculous and still like each other, congratulations—you’re doing friendship right.

    1. “It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
    2. “Marriage, ultimately, is the practice of becoming passionate friends.” — Harville Hendrix
    3. “If there is such a thing as a good marriage, it is because it resembles friendship rather than love.” — Michel de Montaigne
    4. “I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.” — Rita Rudner
    5. “To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” — Mark Twain
    6. “Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.” – Franz Schubert

    T – Treasure the Bond: Build a Love That Lasts

    Treasure doesn’t always come from big milestones. Sometimes it’s noticing your spouse survived rush-hour traffic without road rage, making it through a tough week, or even successfully building that flat-pack desk together. We take funny selfies, jot down little memories, and always carve out at least 15 minutes for “us time”—couch, coffee, no phones. It’s not fancy, it’s not perfect, but it’s ours. And it’s these small, consistent efforts that make our marriage feel like something worth protecting, laughing about, and celebrating every day.

    1. “A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things. “— Wilferd Arlan Peterson
    2. “Love is a vessel that contains both security and adventure, and commitment offers one of the great luxuries of life: time. Marriage is not the end of romance, it is the beginning.” — Esther Perel
    3. “It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.”— Wilferd Arlan Peterson
    4. “A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” — André Maurois
    5. “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” — Victor Hugo

    Wrapping Up: Effort is the Secret Sauce

    At the heart of every strong marriage is effort—the kind that doesn’t wait for perfect moments or moods. It’s in listening when your partner rambles about their day, forgiving socks left on the floor, and celebrating tiny wins, like finally assembling that IKEA shelf together without yelling.

    Giving 100% isn’t glamorous, and it isn’t always easy. Some days it’s patience, other days humor, and most days just showing up—fully, consistently, and with love. A thriving marriage isn’t built on luck or magic; it’s built on effort, care, and the choice to give your best, even when life gets messy.

    So laugh at the chaos, cherish the weirdness, and choose each other every day. Because it’s that 100% effort that turns ordinary moments into a partnership that’s truly extraordinary.

    Which of these quotes spoke to your heart? If there’s one you hold close or live by, I’d love to hear it in the comments.

  • If Today Was All I Had: The BLESSING Blueprint for Living Fully Now

    If Today Was All I Had: The BLESSING Blueprint for Living Fully Now

    If you’ve ever said “I’ll do it tomorrow,” this one’s for you.

    Have you noticed how time doesn’t just fly anymore — it practically sprints? Most of us wake up already in “go mode,” juggling breakfast, emails, and minor life crises before 9 a.m. We rush through the day like it’s a competition, scroll “for five minutes” that somehow turn into an hour, and promise ourselves, “I’ll rest on the weekend.” Then blink — it’s Monday again, and we’re still wondering where the weekend went.

    I used to think being busy meant being productive. I was wrong. In reality, it just made me tired, cranky, and sleepless. One morning, I realized something: I’d been postponing my own life. Saving joy, peace, and presence for “later.” But what if today was all I had? Would I still be scrolling? Or would I finally enjoy my coffee before it went cold, laugh without checking the clock, and breathe without guilt?

    That’s when the B.L.E.S.S.I.N.G. Blueprint was born – spending the gift of another sunrise to live intentionally and to remember that ordinary days are the real treasures. Simple moments become extraordinary when we stop treating them like they’ll happen again.

    Let’s get living before the time runs out!

    I am excited to share with you the B.L.E.S.S.I.N.G. Blueprint.

    B – Be Present with Purpose

    Let’s be real — most of us could win gold medals in multitasking. The funny (and slightly tragic) part? We’re actually proud of it. We answer emails with a show playing in the background, scroll through reels while eating dinner, and somehow end up not enjoying either. It’s like we’re everywhere except the moment we’re in.

    How to Be Present Today:

    • Start your morning phone-free (yes, your notifications can wait)
    • Notice the little things – the morning light, your dog’s yawn, the smell of coffee
    • Listen to people like you actually like them
    • Eat one meal without screens – taste, don’t scroll
    • Before bed, think of one moment that made you smile

    Why It Matters:

    Presence turns boring routines into core memories. It lowers stress, boosts joy, and reminds you that your best moments aren’t on your phone – they’re the actual happenings in front of you.

    Key Takeaway:

    You can’t rewind a moment you weren’t really in.

    L – Love Deeply and Loudly

    When was the last time you hugged someone like you meant it — not the rushed “I’m late!” version? Life gets noisy, and love quietly slips into the back seat. I used to assume people “just knew” how I felt, but here’s the truth — love fades when it’s not expressed. So say it. Show it. Mean it. Yes, even if it feels awkward, even if it’s not your usual thing — because love that’s felt should also be heard and seen.

    How to Love Deeply and Loudly Today:

    • Say “I love you” like it’s on sale
    • Call or visit someone who’s been on your mind
    • Give small acts of kindness without expecting anything back
    • Forgive faster – peace feels lighter than pride
    • Tell people they matter now, not in your eulogies later

    Why It Matters:

    Connection is life’s greatest currency. Love deepens relationships, improves emotional health, and makes every day warmer.

    Key Takeaway:

    Love louder today – the world needs to hear it.

    E – Embrace Gratitude

    I used to think that true happiness will come with the next big thing in my life – a promotion, a new place, maybe that dream vacation where I’d suddenly become “that person who has it all together.” Spoiler alert: I came back with sunburn, an empty wallet, and the same overthinking brain. But gratitude taught me happiness doesn’t live in “someday.” It’s hidden in the “right now.”

    How to Embrace Gratitude Today:

    • Start the day by naming three things you’re thankful for
    • Turn “why me?” into “what’s thing teaching me?”
    • Appreciate your daily comforts – your home, your family, your fave snack you get to eat
    • Give a compliment – it costs nothing but changes someone’s day
    • Say “thank you” to others or simply to life itself

    Why It Matters:

    Gratitude rewires your mindset. It improves sleep, optimism, and resilience – and makes today feel full even when it’s not perfect.

    Key Takeaway:

    Gratitude doesn’t just change your day – it changes your direction.

    S – Simplify Your Focus

    Why do we glorify “grind culture” like there’s a trophy for whoever burns out first? Well don’t sweat it, there isn’t — just eye bags and an overworked coffee machine. Being overwhelmed isn’t a flex; it’s a red flag. Try breaking the big stuff into bite-sized pieces — your brain (and your sanity) will thank you. Simplifying doesn’t mean slacking off; it means focusing on what truly matters without losing your mind in the process.

    How to Simplify Your Focus Today:

    • Choose three main priorities – the rest can wait
    • Protect your peace like it’s your Wi-Fi password
    • Unfollow chaos. Unsubscribe guilt. Uninstall nonsense.
    • Schedule quiet time like it’s a meeting with your strict boss
    • Remember: saying “no” makes space for a better “yes”

    Why It Matters:

    Simplifying clears the noise so you can actually hear yourself think.

    Key Takeaway:

    A focused mind creates more than a frantic oneever will.

    S – Self-Reflect and Reset

    Sometimes we move so fast that we forget why we even started. We chase deadlines and goals without realizing we’ve turned life into one long to-do list. Reflection isn’t wasted time; it’s a pit stop for your soul. It’s how you check if you’re still on the right road — or just really good at being lost. Taking time to reflect helps you figure out what’s worth keeping, what needs changing, and what just needs to be deleted like an embarrassing old Facebook post.

    How to Self-Reflect and Reset Today:

    • Ask: Did I live today or just get through it?
    • Write down one thing you learned – even from a mistake
    • Meditate or sit quietly for five minutes – no agenda, just awareness
    • Notice patterns in your emotions – they reveal what needs healing
    • Reconnect with your “why” before setting your next goal

    Why It Matters:

    Self-reflection builds awareness, clarity, and emotional strength. Without it, life becomes noise instead of meaning.

    Key Takeaways:

    You can’t move forward clearly if you never stop to look inward.

    I – Infuse Fun and Curiosity

    Adulting is wild. We pay bills, answer emails, attend meetings that could’ve been emails, and call it “living.” Some days, it feels like a marathon with no snacks — just stress and Wi-Fi problems. But here’s the plot twist — fun isn’t a luxury. It’s a fuel that keeps your soul from turning into a spreadsheet. Adding laughter, curiosity, and a little chaos (the good kind) makes life less about surviving and more about actually living.

    How to Add Fun and Curiosity Today:

    • Play your favorite throwback song and dance like nobody is watching
    • Try something new – a hobby, a weird recipe, or a spontaneous adventure
    • Go on a “me-date”
    • Laugh out loud even at your own jokes
    • Collect moments, not likes

    Why It Matters:

    Fun boosts creativity, energy, and optimism – it’s how you remind yourself life is meant to be lived, not managed.

    Key Takeaway:

    Fun isn’t a hindrance, it’s a declaration that you’re alive.

    N – Nurture Yourself

    You can’t expect to thrive when your diet is 80% caffeine and 20% “I’ll sleep later.” I used to think being constantly tired meant I was doing something right — like burnout was proof of ambition. At some point, I realized I was taking better care of my phone battery than myself. I’d panic at 10% battery life but ignore my own burnout at 2%. That’s when it hit me — self-care isn’t indulgent; it’s maintenance. Taking care of yourself isn’t slowing down; it’s how you stay in the game.

    How to Nurture Yourself Today:

    • Drink water – your brain actually needs it
    • Eat foods that give you energy, not more belly
    • Sleep like it’s your next best investment
    • Rest before you’re exhausted
    • Unplug regularly – silence is its own medicine

    Why It Matters:

    Self-care sustains creativity, focus, and peace. It’s how you show gratitude for the life you’re living.

    Key Takeaway:

    You can’t pour into life if your own cup is empty.

    G – Give Generously

    The quickest way to feel rich in life — even if your bank account needs resuscitation — is to give something. Anything. Seriously, it doesn’t have to be money. Time, kindness, compliments, or even the perfect meme all count. We often think generosity is for people with “extra,” but the truth is, you’ll feel richer the moment you give from what you already have. Generosity is contagious (and cheaper than retail therapy).

    How to Give Today:

    • Offer help without being asked
    • Leave a kind comment online instead of lurking – positivity sticks
    • Share your knowledge, not just your opinions
    • Volunteer or support a cause
    • Compliment someone sincerely – it lasts longer that your previous relationships

    Why It Matters:

    Generosity deepens connection, builds empathy, and reminds us that meaning isn’t found in more. It’s found in giving more of yourself.

    Key Takeaway:

    What you give multiplies even when you don’t see it return.

    Before you start applying I have shared with you here, I’d like to leave with you with this…

    If today was truly all I had, I’d stop chasing “more” and start cherishing “enough”. I’d trade busyness for presence, scrolling for laughter, and plans for peace. I’d measure success not by how much I got done, but by how deeply I lived.

    So take a breath, sip your coffee while it’s still hot, and actually look around. If you’re reading this, that means you’ve still got today – the most valuable thing you’ll ever own.

    Don’t wait for someday. Make this day worth remembering. Live like today’s the only one you get – because one day, it will be.