Not everyone says that. I’m extremely happily married but don’t believe in soulmates or “the one” or whatever you want to call it.
My husband and I love each other very much, enjoy the hell out of each other, have terrific sex, are fabulous partners in the matters of maintaining a home, raising our children, balancing each other and supporting each other emotionally, and are really good friends. Do I think he is the only person on the planet with whom I could have that kind of relationship? Probably not. But of all the potential matches for me in all the world, I found him and have absolutely no complaints whatsoever about how we work as a team, so why would it matter if there are other people in the world who I may have been able to be in a happy marriage with?
As old-fashioned as it sounds marriage was the “right thing” for my husband and I. We were deeply committed as friends, lovers, and life partners. We value the religious and social meaning of marriage. We didn’t have a wedding to throw an expensive party; we celebrated our decision and sought the blessing of family, religious community, and to declare our choice of partner.
It was sheer joy to say those vows and to promise to love, honor, and cherish - and mean it. It felt “right” and we were very happy to marry. It’s been a joyous 10+ years since that day and we’ve never regretted our decision or questioned our choice of spouse. Indeed, I agree with mssmith57 down below who says (in part) "
“But of all the potential matches for me in all the world, I found him and have absolutely no complaints whatsoever about how we work as a team, so why would it matter if there are other people in the world who I may have been able to be in a happy marriage with?”
AMEN and hallejuah! Well said!
P.S. Marriage is not risk free. Therefore, choose your spouse with care. It’s good “divorce insurance.”
Beautifully said, and I echo these sentiments. My husband and I have been married for almost 12 years, and it was our way to stand up before our friends, family and God to say this is the person I choose to be with for the rest of my life. We have never regretted our decision to marry: it has been a great ride so far, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
And, when I said my vows, I said, “love, honor and obey.” Haven’t regretted that one yet.
[SCULTZ (spoken)]
You hesitate because you have never been married.
It frightens you. Believe me, it can work wonders…
How the world can change
It can change like that-
Due to one little word:
‘married’.
See a palace rise
From a two room flat
Due to one little word:
‘Married’.
And the old despair
That was often there
Suddenly ceases to be
For you wake one day,
Look around and say:
Somebody wonderful married me.
I don’t see why the marriage failure rate should discourage marriage. I do see how it should encourage people to reflect in a mature and thoughtful manner prior to getting married, make a pre-nup to assist the separation process should the marriage fail, make the success of the marriage a very high priority each and every day of their marriage, and behave in a courteous and rational manner should the marriage fail.
From what I see, it isn’t marriage failure per se that is the problem. The problem is in how some people behave when their marriage fails.
