UPDATE: A couple Facebook Friends suggested I add “communication” to this list but I guess I would file that under honesty. Not only should you volunteer information honestly, but if your significant other asks “what’s wrong” you should respond with honest, knowing they can help you through whatever you are going through.

I’ve noticed a number of my Facebook Friends are “tying the knot” — engaging in new relationships, getting engaged, or getting married.

Might I offer some advice as a divorce’ who was married for 10 years and just sold his wedding ring to a stranger on Penn State campus (while in fact selling a piece of his soul) to help pay for the house his ex-wife “left” him.

Now, Old Man Jesse isn’t going to warn you away from marriage. I won’t say “run for the hills.” If I could go back and do it all over again, I probably still would. I will only offer some sage advice. If I had followed this advice, I wouldn’t be where I am today (read: alone).

1. Be honest. This above everything. If there is anything that you think might threaten your relationship, tell your wife or husband. Honesty is appreciated among all things and it’s really trust that gives marriages their longevity. Without trust, there can be no relationship.

2. Don’t take your partner for granted. You are thinking now “why, that’s impossible!” but trust me, after you’re together for a long time, it will creep in. Don’t let it. Count your blessings — realize how wonderful your significant other (and child) is, and how lucky you are that you have them. Think how it would be if they were not there. Treat every day (even 10 years later) as if it might be your last – because I’m living proof that it can all disappear without warning.

If you live up to those two tenets, and I mean not just the next year, but the next 10 years, and your partner does too, hopefully you’ll turn out OK. I know, you think you will, tomorrow and the next day. I thought so too for 4,197 days. But that was 38 days ago.