Who better than to give marital advice to newlyweds, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux than a bunch of divorced people? Read my Love Essentially column below, (published last Wednesday in Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press.)
Marital Advice for Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux by Jackie Pilossoph
My fascination with Jennifer Aniston began in 1995 when the then “Friends” star became America’s “it” girl. She was sweet and funny and beautiful, and like millions of other admirers, I asked my hair stylist for “the Jennifer Aniston haircut.”
Since then, I’ve seen almost every movie Aniston has ever been in, including favorites like “Office Space,” “The Good Girl,” “Along Came Polly,” “The Breakup” and “He’s Just Not That Into You.”
I have also watched Aniston’s love life pretty closely over the past two decades and my take is she’s no stranger to heartbreak. I’ll start with her divorce from Brad Pitt. But even after that, Aniston’s relationships with John Mayer and Vince Vaughn made it seem like the megastar who was ultra successful professionally just couldn’t get it right when it came to love.
So, when I heard last week that Aniston married Justin Theroux, her boyfriend of four years, I was delighted to see that maybe, just maybe, Jennifer got her happy ending. Or did she?
I hope the newlyweds are blissful until they are old and gray, but the fact is, marriage isn’t easy. Anyone will attest to that, especially those who are divorced.
As a wedding gift to my girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston, I decided to pool some marriage advice from a bunch of divorced men and women. I asked them, “If you had one piece of advice for a newly married couple, what would it be?”
Here are some of the responses I received:
• Have that date night once a week for just the two of you. No friends, no family, no kids.
• Don’t lose yourself in the marriage. Continue to nourish your individual identity.
• At this moment, love is new and beautiful and life is so full of hope. As the years go on, your eyes will begin to look at each other with critique. Choose your words wisely and with love. Real love sees the humanity within.
• Always have your own money and your own interests.
• Pray together. Put God in your marriage.
• Always talk it out and always say you’re sorry.
• Remain each other’s favorite companion and don’t let your kids take that role someday.
• Treat your partner as an equal.
• Talk about finances … How will we budget and pay for expenses? How are WE going to spend OUR money; define mine and yours. There is nothing wrong with having this conversation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take place often enough!
• Like each other in addition to loving each other.
