The Smiths at the MIB3 premiere

Recently, Essence.com posted an article about Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. This December marks 15 years of marriage for them. I think that’s simply beautiful. Just a few months ago, they were tabloid targets and according to the world, their marriage was headed for disaster. While I don’t believe everything I read, see or hear – whether good, bad or indifferent, I’m happy to see them in the spotlight LOVING, HUGGING, GIVING A LITTLE PDA and TOGETHER!

According to Will, the key to the success if their marriage is ‘being supportive’. I totally agree…I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard seasoned couples say this. There must be some truth to it. I can bear witness that its an extremely important component of longevity. The “togetherness” means nothing if you only have the front. You have to also have each others’ backs.

One of my favorite portraits of the couple

You can have love, but that’s never enough. You have to have BI-DIRECTIONAL support of one another. You have to. You grew up knowing (hopefully) that your parents “had your back” and supported you. You felt at ease and secure, right? Same thing goes for your mate, but it means more when you’re supporting each other. Your mate chooses you. Your family doesn’t. So,  the idea of you saying,  ”I know that if I have to travel for work for days on end – she will hold everything down and take care of home .” That’s support. Acknowledging to yourself or others that, “I am working hard on putting this event together and the hours are gruesome. My honey’s got the kids and they are OK.” That’s support. Or even the simplest gesture of  offering to do something like a chore that the significant other usually does, is not only support that’s LOVE and SELFLESSNESS!

So, it came as no surprise that Mr. Smith mentioned this as a key component to the success of their marriage. I applaud them. Its not easy having a marriage period, but one in the spotlight has to be major! Best wishes to them, they deserve happiness. I’m working to hold up my end of the bargain and share the weight of it all! I think know my honey would say that I’m a VERY supportive wife. I’m just merely returning the favor.  What would your mate say about you?

Keeping it Smart & Sassy (KISS),