Teenage Tuesdays

Lessons from my parent's marriage

September 02, 2025

📣Welcome to the Whinypaluza column called Teenage Tuesdays, written by Rebecca's daughter Ella Greene, who is 16 years old!
➡️Look forward to a new blog from Ella from a teenage perspective on Tuesdays!

Lessons from my parent's marriage

I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I was raised by two parents who love not just me, but also each other. Their love has taught me so many things, and I’ve only been here for 16 out of 20 years. Here’s what they’ve taught me. 

  1. Communication is the most important tool we have

99% of conflicts, in marriage or just life, can be solved with communication. Communication is the key to success. We aren’t mind readers, so we have to overcompensate with words. Words are our superpower, but we have to learn to use them effectively. Choose your words carefully and frequently, that’s the key to being a good communicator. 

  1. Find someone whose baggage matches yours 

Everyone has baggage and memories they would rather forget. You just have to find someone who has a similar kind and amount of baggage as you. Once you do, you will find that conquering life together is manageable because you can help each other. Isn’t that what marriage is for? 

  1. Being in love is more important than being right 

This is my least favorite of the lessons, but sometimes, you have to choose to be married rather than “win” an argument. That sometimes means putting the argument aside and moving on. This is usually because both people see themselves as “correct” so no progress can actually be made. That’s when you have to just stop and choose love instead of right. 

  1. Be picky with who you spend time with 

My parents both had a list of standards for their partners that both of them fulfill. Hearing about that taught me to never settle, to make a list and stick with it when it comes to partners. Being alone is always better than being with someone who doesn't deserve you. 

And that’s about it. I’m sure there are things I’m forgetting, but I still wish my parents the happiest 20th anniversary, you only have a lifetime to go. 

Until next time, 

Ella Greene.

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