Wednesday, August 02, 2006

How do you know you married the right person?

My friend sent me a beautiful email recently. The email was an essay that began with a question, “How do you know you married the right person?”. I think that all of us married people, no matter what state our marriage is in, have asked ourselves that question at some point in our married life.

Even I, although happily married and still enjoying the bliss of our honeymoon high, am guilty of having thought about it and even discussing it with my hubby. I mean honestly, how do you know you married the right person? How do you know you made the right choice?

The essay answers the question quite simply. Here's the explanation in my own words and with ny added insights.

Every relationship is a cycle. It starts with falling in love. The term “falling in love” implies a spontaneous and natural feeling. You don’t plan it, you can’t get ready for it, and there’s no anticipating it. Unexpectedly and often times uncontrollably, you simply get swept off your feet.

By that very notion, falling in love is quick, easy and almost magical. It can happen to anyone. And it’s the time when things are most exciting. You look forward to phone calls, getting little notes in your email, holding hands. Everything is nice and sweet and romantic. We all know that the most thrilling part of any romantic relationship is the beginning of one.

But as with all things – the romantic gestures, the phone calls, the notes in your mailbox, they become routine and ordinary. The "oohs" and "aahs" become “not agains” or “not nows”. The little things that you used to find endearing are now the very things that drive you mad. It’s easy to fall in love -- but staying in love is another matter altogether! Staying “in love” requires work and effort. It requires patience and understanding. And all that just takes the fun out of it!

This is the stage where most people find fulfillment outside their marriage. Not necessarily a third party – although it has happened – but maybe other diversions like work, and golf, and shopping … And the more you seek fulfillment elsewhere (and get it) the further you drift away from your spouse. Some couples separate, some stay together “for the kids”, some become numb and indifferent.

Many of us think that “if only I found the right person, things would have been different”. But here’s a shocker. There is no RIGHT person. The key to a successful marriage is NOT in finding the right person, but rather it is learning to love and working at keeping the love with the person you have found. (yes, that same person you married years ago!).

Why should that concept surprise us? Think about it - all our lives we are taught that good things come to those who work hard. That in order to be happy and succeed we need to prepare and exert the effort. Why should it be any different when it comes to making a marriage successful?

We should not delude ourselves into believing that there is everlasting love and we live happily ever after – love does not last on its own. It lasts when you work hard at making it last. And since all marriages are partnerships, the only way to know if you have found the right person is if you have found a partner who is willing to work just as hard as you are at making things last.

Bottomline? Love happens but staying in love is made to happen. :)

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will share with you the last portion of my speech last July 23." For those of you who are single and will be looking for a spouse or a lifetime partner; you must choose very well. You need to pray hard and ask the Lord to help you. Your choice of a spouse could MAKE or BREAK you!!!"

Anonymous said...

Very commendable and profound insight. If only all could think and apply what you just wrote this would indeed be a better world.

Anonymous said...

Well done.... as usual!:) ( well said!!) Can't really comment on this too much since I have yet to experience it! Thanks for the wonderful insight though!!!:)

Anonymous said...

great job, well said!!!:) I do agree with all those but can't comment too much since I have to experience it yet! Thanks for the great insight though!:)

Anonymous said...

I definitely agree. It has a lot to do with compromises and sacrifices as well. Thanks for sharing such a great insight and this will be good to know for the future!

Anonymous said...

what if I have only been married for a few weeks and I am already asking myself this question? what if I never had enough of the sweet, romantic things and already things are numb? Is it an adjustment or did I really marry the wrong person?

Anonymous said...

i have been married for less than six months and we are already gone sour, i mean very sour on each other..turning our backs in bed, not touching each other, not talking except to fuss, i mean just no fun. The only thing between us now is hello and i am leving..Oh my God, it breaks my heart

Anonymous said...

I just wrote the last comment. if there is anybody out there who cares, I need your prayers and help right now, please

kansas_girl said...

It's been a long time since Anonymous wrote, but I have something to say ti them. I too am married to a someone whom I have a feeling it just cannot work with. The idea that a little compromise can solve all problems is super...unless he is unwilling to do so, and is egotistical and mean-spirited and racist and inappropriate. I am fighting a losing battle.... I am so sorry, honey, that you feel that way, too. I do wonder how you are doing after all this time...?