Why marriage?

I remember getting more than a little frustrated when people would tell me that our relationship would change when we got married. They would smirk and say things like, "just you wait." We refused to believe that anything more than the dishes upon which we ate our food would change and vowed to each other in private that things would stay exactly the same.

But something has changed. I look at him differently. I see him in a different way. I catch a glimpse of the new piece of jewelry that he sports and it makes my stomach all fluttery. Somebody loved me enough to commit to me for life. It stops me dead in my footsteps to think about. My strongest desire right now is to be near him- not just beside him but with him. I want nothing but sheer bliss for him in life and I am stunned that I get to be the person to explore what makes us happy, together and as individuals. It feels like a new breath of life has been blown through me and I want nothing more than to grow and move and expand our lives together.

I realized that a wedding is such an incredible experience, because you are completely overcome not only with emotion for this person in front of you, but for everybody that has loved you in your lifetime--and you appreciate how much they have impacted the love you now share with your partner.

On our wedding day, I remember feeling completely calm. I look at the pictures and there is an undeniable smile planted on my face in every single photograph and I barely remember relaxing it for even a moment. I always knew he was my partner for this lifetime, but there was something about the event that made me feel so very pleased, for lack of better words. There we were, two people who loved each other more than we loved ourselves and we were taking a grand moment to say it outloud. I think people walked away from our ceremony feeling like it was legitimately special because it just felt like we were doing exactly what marriage should be: commiting to each other in a sincere, honest way.

I know there are people out there who choose not to marry and I respect any decision one makes for their own life. But I have to say, I'm so happy to be able to make this commitment to someone and I'm thrilled there is room in our society to recognize such a bond. I see even more now why so many people are fighting for that same right and as many who read this blog know, I'm a huge supporter of everybody's right to marry.

My husband stumbled upon this blog piece the other day and sent it to me, which is what inspired me to reminisce like this. It drew me in right away because of her similar team name to McRitchie. Enjoy!

http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/07/why_marriage.php