Love and Marriage-“Until Death Do Us Part?”

Looking around in our society today does not seem to support this “traditional” vow. What ever happened to “for better or for worse”… “in sickness and in health” … “for richer or for poorer”? I guess more contemporary vows are supposed to read “until serious struggles arise that we can’t handle on our own”… “unless I change my mind”… and “except if I’m no longer feelin it”.  Seriously, who would sign up for this type of commitment?

So, what is the benefit to long-term committed romantic relationships? One of the lesser known benefits of marriage is memory and identity. Couples help one another with story-telling, co-creating memories to tell and re-tell. That trip down east, decorating the house, dealing with a child’s illness and celebrating great moments in time are just a few examples of events that are woven into the identity of the couple. Intimate companionship and an avenue for truly healthy sexual expression are, of course, the common aspects people may give as the value of marriage. And for many, reproduction and child rearing in partnership brings amazing satisfaction that is well worth the challenges and stress associated with building a life-long romance.

Maybe these benefits contribute to the 62% of marriages in Canada that surpass the 30th anniversary mark!

Healthy relationships are built upon a commitment to work on learning from each other daily, helping each other become the most amazing spouses possible and by being open to guidance and support to accomplish this goal. Why not “till death do you part”? After all, isn’t that what’s in our hearts, dreams and wishes? … forever!