21 “Non-Expert Marriage” Tips on my Anniversary

Twenty One years ago I made the best long-term decision of my life. I married my wife and I couldn’t imagine life without her. It was a decision that I waited to make. I knew in my 20’s I wanted to grind, chasing 2 very different career paths without a central focus. I also knew I wasn’t ready to be a devoted husband. Then I had to face 2 cancer battles which derailed any real “dating” for a while. When I wasn’t looking I was introduced to my future bride. I’m no expert on being a good husband, but I do think I can impart a little tongue in cheek wisdom to raise your scores!

21. It sounds dumb, but keep your calendar loaded with ANNUAL reminders! Birthdays, Anniversaries, Important Dates for you as a couple. Do it once and you don’t have to ever worry about it again.

20. Take walks together. There is no TV or Phone interference. You can just talk. Do more of that!

19. Keep a file in your notes of her favorite stores.

18. Set the table if you don’t cook as often as possible. I don’t cook and she always appreciates me setting the table.

17. No clothes on the floor. Pick up after yourself. She’s not your maid.

16. Try and keep track of the names of her friends so when she tells stories you can at least have context!

15. When she gets sick, you better be as attentive as she is when you or the kids are sick.

14. Find something that you know she likes on TV that you might not think is as interesting. You might just grow to like it. True crime is her thing and it might just become one of your favorites.

13. Know how she drinks her coffee. Know her favorite cocktail order. Know her!

12. Try your best to support her in her Mom role. You will fail often, but try and be her supportive wall. Don’t let your kids figure out that you are the work around for Mom.

11. She looks pretty. Tell her! Even if it’s in her Home Depot run uniform of a baseball hat and track pants. Other guys are looking, make sure she knows you notice.

10. Gift cards are always a welcome gift, but put some more thought into the big holidays. You have all year, don’t just mail in your creative effort.

9. Go out of your way to spoil her Mom. She means the world to her and you just mind find your greatest ally in life and a friendship you never expected. I did. My Mother in Law was amazing.

8. When you become parents, don’t address her as “Mom”. She’s not your Mom. She’s your kids Mom. Plus, the word Mom shouldn’t be in any way sexy to you!

7. It doesn’t have to be flowers. Don’t be cliche. Coming home with her favorite little treat or an unexpected small gift have similar impact.

6. Go to a Broadway show or a play or to somewhere you have no interest in. She does like them and you might find that one of these activities isn’t so bad.

5. On vacation do your best to put the electronics down. You’re not do important that you need to be tied to the phone. A more attentive husband and father is always appreciated.

4. NEVER just sign a card. ALWAYS write a thoughtful message. Oh, don’t be like me on my wedding trip who wrote a great card out and left it at home!

3. Have a secret gift file in your phone. She talks and drops hints all year long. Jot them down slyly and then gift shopping will never be a stressful event!

2. Make plans to do things and surprise her. Get it on the calendar but take the initiative to plan it yourself.

1. It sounds simple, but PLEASE and THANK YOU is a love language for every wife.

The Philadelphia Phillies road winning streak has reached 11 games following their latest win over the Tampa Bay Rays. It has been a remarkable stretch of baseball played away from Citizens Bank Park. And it is one of the longest streaks of that kind in franchise history. So, I figured it was time to take a look at the numbers over the last 11 road games. To try and see what the Phils are doing so well. Here are some interesting numbers from this awesome run of road baseball that point to the Phillies road winning streak’s origin:

In order to go on this type of a win streak, the offense has to be producing at a high level, and the Phillies’ has. Batting .264 might not sound like a lot, but the Miami Marlins are hitting .264 for the season, the 3^rd best mark in all of baseball. That puts in perspective just how hot the Phillies have been at the dish during their road-winning streak.

During the Phillies road winning streak, they have outscored their opponents by a combined 36 runs, a whopping run differential over 11 games. That means that they are scoring, on average, about 3 more runs a game than their opponents. These aren’t just one run games; the Phillies offense is out-slugging the opposition on the road, an impressive feat.

Oh yeah, it hasn’t just been the offense that has been fueling the Phillies’ road-winning streak. The pitching has been arguably better than the hitting, as evident by the 2.18 team ERA. The starters have been staggeringly good, the bullpen has been beautifully effective, and opponents have had no shot to put up a significant amount of runs. THAT is how you win baseball games.

What’s funny about this winning streak is that the Phillies’ defense has not been all that good, even with their 11 straight wins. They’ve made 7 errors in their last 11 road games, which is more than an error every other game. That’s not a good mark to aim for, and yet, the Phils continue to win games. This is not only a credit to the pitching staff overcoming rough defense, but a sign that there is still better baseball to come from this team.

1976 was the last time the Philadelphia Phillies’ franchise had a road-winning streak of 11 wins or better. That team finished with 13 straight wins on the road. Besides the 1976 team and this current streak, only the 1887 Phillies reached the 11 straight road wins mark. This has been a historically good run of games away from home, and with 4 more road games before the All-Star break, the 2023 Phillies could stand alone before long.