Don't Get It Twisted - Marriage is Hard Work

Last year, I delighted at the opportunity to speak at my childhood best friend's wedding reception. It was a beautiful moment, reminiscing about our past adventures and how she's always kept her faith at the center of her life. As we celebrated this new chapter, I left the newly weds with a thought: "You've done the important work of choosing each other; now comes the hard work—maintaining the marriage."

And it's true, isn't it? Marriage is hard work.

It’s about making choices every single day. Some disputes you'll need to let slide, others will require you to sit down and hash things out—no matter how tough that may be. It's about saying 'yes' over and over again to the same person you committed to under those bright lights and flowers, even when things aren't as picture-perfect.

Let’s face it, life throws a lot at us. Jobs change, kids might come along, and bills pile up. Through all that, your marriage will ask you to adapt, to grow, and to maybe bend more than you thought you’d ever have to.

"Your marriage will ask you to adapt, to grow..."

So why not talk about this more openly? If more couples knew that it's normal for marriage to be hard, maybe there’d be more patience and grace to go around. It’s not just about sticking together during the good times but also about pulling together when the going gets tough.

In our practice where we work with pre-marital couples and those on the verge of divorce, we always remind couples that every day won’t be a breeze - and that’s okay. It’s these challenges that can bring you closer and make your bond stronger, if you face them together.

So here's to the hard work of marriage—the daily decision to love, support, and stay committed to your partner. It might not always be easy, but it’s definitely worth it.