Several of these posts remind me of how important it is to realize you marry not just a spouse but a family.

I think that's where the "for better or for worse" part comes in.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio in a high collared black dress suit. That always seemed to me like an f-you to the institution and what was expected of her.

There is definitely some truth in that.

I think some people make marriage look great. My parents, for example.

I asked my g/f to marry me this year - after 8 years! I guess I'm not the kind to rush into something. Quite honestly I wasn't sure what difference (if any) it would make, but it has... I don't know why or how, but there is definitely something special about making that definitive commitment to someone. Well, that's my experience anyway...

x-ray
if your back's against the wall, turn around and write on it...

I would say that it depends on which parent the bride or husband to be tends to favor.  I take after my dad so I wouldn't think that my mom's looks would be a good indication of how I will look in the future.  Not that my mom is bad looking, I just don't look like her.  My bf looks like his mother, who is Japanese.  I think the future is bright for him.  He will be 37 next week and most people guess him to be between 25 and 30.  He will never have a beer gut which pleases me greatly.

Marrying into the family is so true.  My ex mother in law made my marriage miserable.  She was a meddler and her son was such a mama's boy that he was impossible to please.  It was always "That's not how my mom cooks it.  My mom always did the dishes."  Honey, your mom is a drunken bitch.  When he and I were splitting up, she made a point to call me and told me that I needed professional help.  Urgh.

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

Are you saying you don't think I'm funny?
 

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

Im doing it this time next year.  

Never thought i'd get married, didn't really see the point, but that was when i was with someone who bored and distressed me so much I ended up sleeping at work one night just to avoid him!  

Then was single for a year and had a blast, was a naughty girl and don't regret a moment of it (...well, maybe one or two moments...)

Then met a lovely man and he popped the question and i found myself saying yes.

Marriage isnt essential, i dont see what the big deal is in this day and age...I dont actually think it provides much more security for women today as more and more women have successful careers, their own houses and are in fact leaving themselves and their assets at risk by marrying someone who could take half of that!

I do stress about that aspect of it, and that fact that if i think marriage isnt a big deal, why am i doing it...it just feels right.   I see him as my husband not by boyfriend, it just feels like this is the way it should be.

He has been divorced already with 2 little kids and I have one failed 10 year relationship behind me so I think we can really make a go of it 2nd time around...

Here's hoping, anyway, cos I cant being bothered with all that breaking up crap again! Life's too short to be sewing fish in to the lining of your ex's curtains, breaking all of their DVD's in to tiny little pieces and hacking into their internet dating profiles and changing status to "gay / bi"

What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing!

Makes me a little less daunted by my own situation. I surely won't be entering any competitions! With how things are right now, the last thing we need is a big rush to get things done!