Have you ever wondered what makes long-lasting marriages last as long as they do? The answer is that neither party allows for a “plan B” if things don’t seem to work out. Both individuals committed to the marriage and are determined to stick to it and to stick to their wedding vows—in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, and in sickness and health.
If you take the time to study your wedding vows, you’ll see that all the catastrophic things in life are covered—all the things that can make a significant impact on your marriage. Sadness or depression, sickness or a debilitating disease, and a lack of money are all included in your wedding vows. So when those things occur, you stick with your marriage, just like you said you would. You don’t bail on your spouse because you don’t like the current situation.
If you have a “plan B” in the back of your mind, it’s easy not to fully give of yourself to the marriage but to hold back. Don’t.
I had the privilege of watching the interaction of my aunt and uncle who have been married for more than 50 years. Their years of love and life together showed in the way they talked to and treated each other, still using terms of endearment and smiling at each other with a twinkle in their eyes.
Was it always that way for them? No, but they stuck with each other, stuck with their marriage, and made it work. I’m sure they could tell stories about the difficult times and years they went through to get where they are today.
My husband and I endured some very tough and challenging years in our marriage. In many ways, it would have been easy to part during those times. But each of us meant what we said in our wedding vows, and we stuck through the tough times. As a result, our marriage is stronger today, and we have a greater appreciation for each other because of the lessons we learned through those difficult times.
Don’t allow for a “plan B” in your marriage. By making provision for that, you could miss out on the best years with your spouse.
* In no way am I condoning staying in a dangerous situation. If you find yourself in a situation like that, seek help.
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