Marital "test drive"

So, wedding season is in full swing! There are the David's Bridal commercials, bride workshops, Victoria's secret has their bridal gear for sale...its a season full of hope...for the future. Statistics tell us the American marital future is in jeopardy.

Marriages are now being replaced by "partnerships" or merely live-in companions, where you reap all the "benefits" except for the most important COMMITMENT! We are showing our future children, by word and deed, that you can "have it all" without giving your all....to quote the puppet who couldn't lie, "I've got no strings to hold me down!"

It's not just my children's generation who will be affected by this...it started with my own. Before my husband and I got married he was told by almost everyone he knew, mainly those he worked with, the he needed to "try it before you buy it!". I told him plainly that I am not a BUICK! There is no test drive, he either wanted all of me, the right way, or none of me. Thankfully he was of the same mind, and ignored the unsolicited advice of people who didn't know anything about anything to do with us.

I have since noticed that this is common with military members. They will live with someone for 2-5 years before they get married. Just because you live with them doesn't mean you know them, and sadly a lot of them figure this out after the "honeymoon" is over.

I have seen a lot of marriages going down in flames recently, I am saddened for them. I pray that we begin to reexamine the commitment we all have made to our spouses. I vowed that I would be with him until death..either his or mine...it didn't say I needed to be "happy" all the time or that it wouldn't be the best-hardest thing I've ever done....but it said FOREVER he would be mine and I would be his!