Ebony Magazine’s ‘Couple of the Year’ says Marriage is an Institution not a New Year’s Resolution

One of the hottest topics rounding out 2011 was Hollywood divorces. The odds are so high as to who will stay together and who will fall apart, Las Vegas may start taking bets on the game or marriage. Hollywood marriages saw the demise of several couples including Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant and even Beyonce’s parents Matthew and Tina Knowles just to name a few. Rumors, speculations and innuendos of other power couple splits are sure to unfold later in the year.

Rufus and Jenny Triplett, whose marriage has survived 22 plus years, have been selected by Ebony Magazine as Couple of the Year. Their plain and simple approach to marriage and the commitment needed in order to sustain it has resonated through their marriage tips and relationship advice given to newlyweds, engaged couples, veteran couples and dating couples alike as well as the editors of Ebony Magazine. Their individual male and female perspectives are different as to what makes a marriage work but they both acknowledge communication as the greatest survival tip.

Here are Jenny’s Do’s and Don’ts:

• Treat Your Marriage Like a Job – Marriage is hard work. Put in all of the effort that you would as if you were climbing the corporate ladder. Work through difficulties, tolerate pet peeves, work overtime when needed, plan meetings to discuss job description and direction and take time for self when needed.
• Don’t Try to Mold or Change the Person You Fell in Love with – Remember when you choose to spend the rest of your life with someone that it is that person at that time to which you are agreeing. Don’t try to change the little quirks that one has or make them someone that they are not because they will not like it and eventually you won’t either.
• Marriage is a Marathon Not a Sprint – Get into the mindset that there are going to be hurdles just as there are in life. Tackle them with patience, love and understanding. Keep an even stride. Slow and steady wins the race.

Here are Rufus’ Do’s and Don’ts:

• Have Open Communication – Be willing to talk about anything and everything. Humor your partner for what they want to know. Sharing is bonding.
• Don’t Put Others Before Your Spouse – Once you marry you become as one. No one should be more important than the relationship between you and your spouse. Outsiders such as friends, parents, co-workers, siblings and other relatives may think differently but in order to keep your relationship intact, respect your spouse.
• Marriage is Forever – For Better or for Worse, For Richer or For Poorer, In Sickness and Health – Til Death Do Us Part. Respect Your Vows.

Rufus and Jenny Triplett are co-Editors-in-Chief of Prisonworld Magazine, which is published by Dawah International, LLC, a multimedia company. They are co-hosts and co-producers of the weekly radio show the Prisonworld Radio Hour airing on Mondays at 1pm EST on WWWE- 1100 AM Atlanta.  Jenny is a requested speaker for correctional facilities, non-profit organizations, schools, radio and TV shows and print magazines. Rufus is a member of the group, Likely suspect, which provides acapella entertainment for the speaking presentations. For more information log onto www.prisonworldmagazine.com.

The Triplett’s article is printed in the February 2012 Issue of Ebony Magazine. Look for their second book, Surviving Marriage In The 21^st Century: 13 Easy Tips that will help you get to 20 years and beyond which will soon be released. Also, you can check out their YOUTUBE video series at www.survivingmarriagetips.com. To check out their radio show, The Prisonworld Radio Hour, log onto www.prisonworldradiohour.com.