When we think about marriage, it’s mainly about two young people, splendidly dressed, floating down the aisle. Young people are carried away by the fairy tales they heard as children and the romance novels they read growing up, where everything seems to end with the couple living happily ever after.
Reality check – marriage is not about the Prince sweeping his Princess off her feet and riding off into the sunset on his gleaming white horse and they live happily ever after in complete bliss with no worries.
Most people want to celebrate their wedding day and want it to be special and memorable. There is nothing wrong with this. But what is important is that we should not equate the euphoria of getting married with the realities of day-to-day married life. The marriage ceremony should not confuse us about what our realistic expectations should be.
We should not be carried away by how we were during our dating days when we had not commited to be together and were just content being loving, affectionate and considerate. Long-term commitment is really a different kettle of fish.
Marriage is a journey and if the dice rolls in one’s favour, both partners learn and grow as a couple. A long-term relationship is about being comfortable with each other.
- A good marriage provides a lifetime of companionship and love.
- A good marriage brings out the best in each partner.
- A good marriage improves one’s life.
- A good marriage takes work, consideration, communication, and generous helpings of apologies and forgiveness.
Yes, there is a happily ever after, but it takes a lot of work.