Use the china every day. That's what it is for! (Ma Ingalls said special plates were for special people, not special occasions--or something like that.) Since there are only two of you, rotate the plates so they get even wear.

If you put them in the dishwasher carefully so they don't bump anything, you wouldn't have to hand wash. Seriously, who is going to care about that china after you are gone? Use it!

I would have loved to have had my grandmother's china, but I got her little cut glass salt bowls with the delicate little hand blown scoops, instead. If I had had her china, I would have been using it, for sure.

Karen