Join us as Rudy and I reflect on how we got married at 21 and have survived 43 years of marriage!

One of the things we talked about before was the influence that our family and friends had on our relationship! We didn't realize it then but the people who know you best can see the qualities each of you have that either mesh or don't. Ours wasn't an arranged marriage per se, some of the people who were closest to us saw things that they thought would make us a good match.

What can also happen is that as a couple grows closer, time with friends is reduced. As we spent time together we found that there were experiences in each of our lives that the other hadn't experienced. When you're merging lifestyles you have to figure out what part of you are you willing to sacrifice or expand to accommodate the other person.

Ideally, in the dynamics of a relationship that you're building together, you get to know someone and then respond to what you know. This includes observing and then responding to what you observe. Rudy shares a story about giving Robin a radio for her office (back in the day of course!) so she could listen to her favorite soap opera which at the time was "All My Children". Last year, after he completed treatment for cancer, their kids banded together and planned a family trip to Disney World for one of Rudy's favorite events, to celebrate that milestone. Know what people like and then act on it. You'll also be setting an example for your kids. Rudy says that "Observe and be quiet long enough to understand what that person likes. Then incorporate that into what you're going to do to communicate your love and affection for them.

As our relationship we grew, other relationships took a back seat for a while and some people didn't like that. It wasn't so much that they didn't like one of us for the other' they thought we were two young for such a serious commitment. We later learned that at our wedding some people bet that we wouldn't last three years!

There may have been some truth to that when you consider who and what you're really called to be. Rudy had a dream to be a singing superstar, and encountered and worked with names you know - Lionel Richie (when he was with the Commodores), Michael Jackson, Casablanca Records, and more. Robin envisioned living in Malibu in a white mansion by the ocean. In this podcast, they dissect letting go of a dream in THAT business, and realizing that people have to have a purpose that involves love, affection, and caring, not celebration and worship. Even though Rudy had a burning desire to pursue a career in music, there are things that you give up of yourself as you take on new roles.

As we reflect (we call it therapy while you listen :), we realize the value of taking that time for our relationship. We figured out what we had in common and navigated our way. We know that had we embarked on a music trajectory at that time, we probably would not have stayed together and would not have had the family that we have. We are where we're supposed to be.

Thank you so much for spending time with us today! We hope you enjoyed our conversation, related to something we said, and laughed along the way.

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A special thanks goes to @yancylott for producing, editing, and creating the music for our podcasts!
xo,
Robin & Rudy