One of the essays I wrote when I was still enrolled at Truman College..
It is every girl’s dream to walk down the aisle someday.  Just like other girls out there, I dream of one day getting married too.  Writing this paper made me realize that marriage is really for keeps... 
  
Marriage.. A Lifetime Commitment
  
 
Marriage is a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman bound in love, wherein the values of respect, honesty, trust and fidelity are very important. Its purpose is bringing new human beings into existence in a loving, secure, and nurturing environment.   It is a sacred union of a couple, who made a vow at God's altar to love each other for better or worse, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, till death do they part.  As the passage from the bible says, "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder." Communication, individuality and patience is also a must, because marriage also has its ups and downs, but love still wins out in the end. 
 
My parents have been married for twenty-three years now.   In a few days, they'll be celebrating their twenty-fourth year together as husband and wife..  Even now, whenever I look at them, I can still see the glow in their eyes.  I asked them what kept them together through out the years.  They both said that, "Honesty, trust, commitment and fidelity are intricately intertwined in marriage." Spouses who are committed to one another are more likely to develop an honest and trusting relationship.  Marriages can't survive without commitment.  Commitment sets the stage for honest and trusting relationship. An intimate relationship such as marriage cannot endure without these traits. 
 
My dad said that communication is also very important.  Married couples also talk regularly to check their expectations of married life.  If those expectations clash, they keep communicating until they have understanding and agreement.  My mom added that married couples keep their individuality.  They encourage each other not to be always 'us', to take 'me' time, to have 'me' hobbies and even 'me' friends. This way, each partner brings individuality in to the marriage, keeping it fresh and alive. They have always believed that they should also have a life of their own, like own friends and goals. This way, they have something to bring to each other at the end of the day.  Married partners should also respect each other.  They have always believed that each partner has qualities worthy of respect.  My parents refer to each other in endearing glowing terms when talking to other people. In short, they never take each other for granted and remember how lucky they are to be married. 
 
I have also asked my both my parents what made them decide to marry each other.  I asked dad, "What made you think that mom 'is it'?"  Dad said, "Your mom has such endearing qualities which made me decide that she's the woman whom I want to spend the rest of my life with.  I can say that we grew up together. We both just started off as friends.  Eventually, we fell in love with each other.  I think that she's God's gift to me.  She's not just my wife, she's also my best friend.  When I proposed to her, I told her that she's the person whom I want to grow old with.  I want her to be the mother of my future children.  I always knew that she will make a good mother someday.  I never regret my decision to marry your mom.  Our marriage may not be perfect because there's no such thing as that, but having her as a wife makes it so close to perfection."  Mom added, "Marriage is not just an instant decision.  It is not something that you'll just walk away from when you got bored and you got tired of it.  It is a lifetime commitment. When I made a vow at God's altar, I really meant it."
 
I have also interviewed my aunt about her views on marriage.  She described marriage as a "roller coaster ride."  I asked her what she meant about it, and she said, "Marriage has its ups and downs.  It is not always a bed of roses.  Somewhere along the way, some problems may come."   They had to learn to adjust.  She said that over the years, they have accepted each other's flaws and shortcomings.  She said that establishing a strong successful marriage is never an easy task.  Like anything of value, it requires tremendous amount of patience and determination.  She said that problems can be resolved if spouses are willing to come up with common solutions.  As a couple, she and her husband 'close off the day in each others arms.'  Whenever they engage in a petty fight, they always have closure together at the end of the day.  She said that if they would just end the day without settling their 'small' arguments, it might make matters worse.  She said that their love for each other wins out in the end. 
 
I have grown up in a predominantly Catholic country.  My view on marriage is that, it is a lifetime commitment.  This means it should be undertaken with life-long goals in mind.  It is a strong bond that takes place between a man and a woman.  In every commitment, we should seek that, especially, which never changes.  People's outward appearance changes.  So also do their personalities, their interests, opinions, and ideas.  If one is committed just because of these, it is likely to prove fragile.  Couples must commit therefore, to that which lasts.  Deeper commitment enables them to weather many storms. 

The purpose of marriage is to bring new human beings into existence in a loving, secure, and nurturing environment.  Marriage is not an instant decision.  It is something that one should really prepare for.  Somewhere along the way, problems may come but these are not reasons for couples to walk away out of the marriage.  Couples should always remember the vow they made to seal their commitment to one another on their wedding day,  "For better or worse, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."