My wife and I will celebrate 48 years in April.
When I read these threads, I am saddened.
I would wish a happy and life-long marriage to every male and female.
In the past 40+ years of marriage, there have been good times and bad times, pressures on the marriage from child rearing, money, separation because of jobs, mothers-in-law and other family members. And even the verge of a divorce at about the five year point.
My point being that I don't post this to say "look at us, marriage is easy".
It's not always. We married very young and grew up together, learned that it wasn't always all about us individually, learned to compromise, learned to give at least 51% to the marriage, and have now reached the point where we can laugh at our silly selves and the way we acted toward each other back then.
We also have many happy memories about when we had little income, but in many ways were happier than when we had more than enough income.
I met a couple in Walmart today. She was well dressed, pushing a cart, looking at some toys/bike parts, and he was wandering along behind her. She was a smallish lady and he was a big burly guy, beard, T-shirt/shorts/tennies/white socks kind of guy.
They seemed a very unlikely couple. As I pushed my cart past her, then paused for her to notice me and move enough to let me pass, he said jokingly "Just run over her if you need to."
At this point I knew they were at least a couple. She smiled and excusing herself, moved her cart aside. I paused and wanting to say something nice, responded that I couldn't run over her and that she looked to me like a real "keeper". Then I said "I've kept mine almost 50 years now."
They both laughed, and she said that they had been married for 10 years now. I congratulated them both and said "I always congratulate the woman for being patient with the "man stuff" we men bring to the marriage, and I always congratulate the man for standing by his woman and sticking with the marriage through thick and thin."
We all laughed and I think they appreciated the praise and encouragement for their marriage. I try to congratulate all the married couples I meet. Marriage is the bedrock of our society, as proscribed by God to us through the scriptures.
Oh, and BTW, neither of them would have won any beauty/handsome contests (neither would my wife and I) by society's measures, but they were obviously attractive enough for (and attracted to) each other.
So, I say, never-say-never about getting and staying married. Trust in the Lord, he has someone in mind for you (just don't set up so many "acceptance" factors that will cause you to reject him/her). Just be prepared to understand and recognize him/her when he/she crosses your path.
We only get one shot at this life, and I wish for every man and woman to find his/her mate and live a joyful life until each must go home to be with the Lord.
May God bless and keep each and every one of you.
Thanks for a great post.
And for being one who encourages other. You can never tell the importance of a well placed comment on others.
Now, if you will excuse me, your post almost moved me to tears, so I have to fill out a Butt-Hurt form. ;)