Some Insights on Marriage

Marriage is a commitment, and a serious one at that. It is a contract; but unlike the usual contracts, its tenure is forever. There is no probationary or contractual basis, the job is long term and permanent. Before the contract becomes binding, you and your partner have to take an oath and signed your name in the presence of witnesses.It seems so hard, especially the decision-making. The question is: Shall I? Can I?

In committing oneself into something or entering into any agreement which needs a contract, there are basic steps to undergo. In marriage, here are the prerequisites:

• Getting acquainted- getting to know each other. If the attraction is more than friends, the next step follows.

• Wooing stage-the attraction is getting deeper and the guy wanted a proprietary hold on the girl’s attention and feelings.

• Boyfriend-girlfriend stage-there is a mutual understanding, the existence of deeper feelings for each other. This is a kind of commitment but is more like probationary. It is like a testing period if they click or not. The relationship can go on or off.

• Engagement period-both are assured about their emotions and agreed to get married to start the journey together as man and wife. 
• Planning stage-it follows after the engagement which signals the preparation of the wedding. It is the most tedious stage. Be it simple or grand, a wedding needs so much time to prepare everything; the license, the seminars, the church, the entourage, the reception, the honeymoon, etc. Physically, emotionally, and financially, the bride and groom undergo these hurdles.  
• The wedding itself-the excitement, the mixed emotions...the realization of dreams...the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another journey with a partner, for life.

Pressures, stress, not mentioning the pre-wedding jitters and the adjustments of having instant additional families for both, these can be discouraging and make people think twice. However, these reasons are not enough to dissuade people not to get married. Statistics show that more than 2 million Americans get married every year and billions were spent for the weddings. The most popular wedding month is June, hence the “June bride”. Although data states that it is still true in America, it is however not the fashion in other countries. Today, practicality is the name of the month; like this month, December, many of my friends and acquaintances get married and are getting married. Here are their reasons why:

•   This month is more financially stable, bonuses are given.

•   It is a festive month, it’s like the world is preparing for the wedding.

• It is a nice time to start a new life, a new journey with someone you wanted to grow old with…someone to be with, welcoming the New Year.

Marriage is a complex process, before and after the wedding, and not an easy task for everyone concerned especially the bride and the groom but everything is worth it. The contract that binds both to each other is not only a piece of paper but a contract that has the blessings of not only the authorized person who officiates but by the ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF. “In richer or poorer, in sickness and in health…till death do us part."