I love marriage.
This is a belief that I have touched upon in previous blogs so this statement is probably not news to you. But it’s one that I want to expand upon today.
I am well aware that marriage has gotten a bad rap lately. Philandering politicians, athletes behaving badly, and that jerk up the street who left his wife for a younger model are all around us. We all know someone who has gone through a messy, drawn out divorce. Heck- I’ve been through a divorce myself . So why I am still so excited about marriage?
Probably the biggest reason I love marriage is that I have been fortunate enough to have many examples of strong marriages close by for me to observe. My parents and both my sets of grandparents were the first marriages I saw up close and all of those marriages are/ were truly great examples of a partnership at work. Not necessarily the same kind of partnership I want for my own relationships, but ones that work(ed) for the two people involved. Other family members and family friends in happy 25 year plus unions were around me as a child and now as an adult as well to further prove to me that this institution still works.
Another reason I love marriage is my own. It’s been 5 years now for me and Pat and I’ve never been happier. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I wasn’t able to come home to my strongest supporter, my rock and my best friend every night. No matter what going on out there in the big, scary world I always know he’s got my back and I have his.
Simply put, when two mature people commit to each other for life it’s a beautiful thing. There is something very powerful about those vows, whether they are exchanged in a courthouse, in a place of worship, or on the beach in Hawaii. But the vows are just the beginning. The meat and potatoes is what happens afterwards. When two mature people are truly committed to a lifetime of standing together through the ups and downs of life. It’s the best thing that can happen to anyone.
And yes, I do mean anyone. I believe that any two adults who wish to marry should be able to do so. I live in Iowa where same-sex marriage has been legal for some time. The sun continues to come up in the east every morning. My marriage has not been lessened or compromised in any way by anyone else’s decision or ability to wed nor do I know anyone who believes their marriage has either.
As always, I welcome commentary from anyone- whether you agree with me or not.
I cannot believe its been five years now. Congrats! I still remember you in the bathroom at work getting ready to leave for your wedding. Love that memory. Congrats to both of you and many more happy years.