My thoughts on the matter...

I try to avoid getting personal on the web- bad things tend to happen when you do that.

But here I go anyway, sharing my thoughts on the matter. And the matter is... marriage.

"Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togetha today."

It's taken me a long time to realize that the "relationships are work" sentiment wasn't just a saying. I had a similarly hard time accepting the "freshman fifteen" sentiment. Much to my chagrin, I realized that love was not all rainbows and skipping through wheat fields like movies and country songs and country movies led me to believe. There was a moment of horror. Of self doubt. Of disappointment. And then my trademark optimism peaked through. Love, and the commitment of love (aka marriage) is not a fantasy nor a fairy tale. And it shouldn't be. Fantasies fade. Marriage is a decision. A decision that two people make because they love each other and are willing to sacrifice certain things (not ALL things) to live a shared life. There's no guarantee that you'll be outrageously happy the whole time, which would be pretty boring in my opinion, but that's why they say "for better or worse." But if both of you work to keep each other happy, the operative words being "both of you" and "work," then you will stay in love and cherish the life you made together.

And another thing! The whole "We're soulmates, we can spend every moment together and not get sick of each other!" That's just crazy talk! Do you really think that's going to always be the case? If it is- great! If not, even better. Alone time, family time, friend time, dog time, kids time. Those times shape you- and you do not want to lose yourself in a relationship.

My wish is that you all find someone who makes you laugh, understands your neurosis, makes sacrifices for you, and realizes that life will not always be perfect- but they will wade through the muck with you, holding hands.