The Institution Of Marriage.... ( Archived) (76)

For some it has to do with religious beliefs...For me it has nothing to do with the religious beliefs nor a "piece of paper", marriage is so much more than that. It's the highest level of commitment that a couple can make, and in making the vows of commitment to each other you enable a growth of the relationship to blossom and flourish to a different level. It's not something that should be taken lightly nor should it be mandatory or bullied into. If you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, no you don't have to get married, but for me it just means that I am willing to work in/on the relationship no matter how good or bad things are. "Alone you can conquer nothing, together we can conquer the world!!!"

Does that make any sense?

I have no doubt that you will find the right one Shelly

You're welcome, but there's no thanks needed it's true. Thank you

I never thought of it that way Laurie, but you are absolutely right. Not only does it cheat you out of life during the marriage for however long a period of time, but it can also affect you for a long time afterward, as well as have an affect on any other relationship you pursue after that.

You took the words out of my head when you said "Marriage is what you make of it". If you want it to be based on a business contract it will be. If you marry for love, it means you have to put a little bit of effort to keep the love alive. If you marry for money, it may stay for the rest of your life but it could also only last for as long as the money does.

Personally, I won't settle for a marriage based on anything except true love. With the right one, you will never go wrong. If my heart soul and mind all agree with each other, then it's the right one. If one of those disagree then there's something missing.