The Best Thing About Being Married......

[VonNoble]

We are about to celebrate our 42nd anniversary.

We decided not to wait until our 50th to throw a big party - we did that at 40 and intend to do it again for our 45th if we are both lucky enough to still be alive to have that opportunity.

At our 40th wedding anniversary we had a wonderful meal specially cooked for our guests at a very nice restaurant. It was a great night for us. As I looked around the room there was an assortment of married people and single people. Most productive, active and content.

So both groups are thriving.

When I narrowed my focus to "just the married people" in the room - I realized we had been married longer than anyone else that night.

I guess we have been extremely fortunate in that regard.

It got me wondering how much different my life had been if I had not met and married a person who made me better and made me want to continue to be better. One who is gut level honest even when I don't want to hear it, one who I can and have trusted with my life and one who makes me laugh always - especially during a crisis. One who never allows me to take myself or life too seriously. And annoying though it may be at times one who always sees the best in the world, in other people and in me.

My life would have been fine either way but it is enriched because of the person sharing it with me.

So the question is: What is THE BEST thing about being married for you? (for those not currently married - what would you hope to have happened when married).....

For those who opt out of marriage and choose another way to go - that is fine and this is not an attack on the single life, living together or any other option - IT IS however a chance for the married folks to focus on what is right with the institution as there is scant chance to tout it elsewhere.

Thanks,

Von

[panpareil]

Waiting should be done for ripening fruit. Once ripe, waiting is a waste, of time and fruit.

My wife and I share a duprass. There is nothing else. I cannot imagine being without her, nor remember a time before her. Our marriage just is, from the beginning to the end of time.

[Brother Kaman]

Having adult human companionship at hand and someone to grow old with. I told my first wife that one of the best things about being married was having someone to grow old with. She freaked and was not my wife for long after that. My current wife of 37 years agreed with my sentiment.

[mererdog]

The woman I married.

[emalpaiz]

My wife and I will soon celebrat 38 years together. It has been a lifetime of growing and sharing. We have been two different persons, and at the same time we have been one.

Hermano Luis

[grateful]

for me, the best thing about being married is that I get to wake up every morning with my best friend.

this is my second marriage, his first. at this point, we may have difficulties coming from outside of us, but we don't have issues from within (not right now, anyway). I think our level of commitment has changed since we decided to marry less than ten years ago but I'm not sure if it was the marriage per se or experience and the passage of time we have known each other since 1998..

we share a common purpose and goals. we share a past and day to day laughs, dog duties and dilemmas. we are a team, we are in this together.

[Youch]

We are about to celebrate our 42nd anniversary.

We decided not to wait until our 50th to throw a big party - we did that at 40 and intend to do it again for our 45th if we are both lucky enough to still be alive to have that opportunity.

At our 40th wedding anniversary we had a wonderful meal specially cooked for our guests at a very nice restaurant. It was a great night for us. As I looked around the room there was an assortment of married people and single people. Most productive, active and content.

So both groups are thriving.

When I narrowed my focus to "just the married people" in the room - I realized we had been married longer than anyone else that night.

I guess we have been extremely fortunate in that regard.

It got me wondering how much different my life had been if I had not met and married a person who made me better and made me want to continue to be better. One who is gut level honest even when I don't want to hear it, one who I can and have trusted with my life and one who makes me laugh always - especially during a crisis. One who never allows me to take myself or life too seriously. And annoying though it may be at times one who always sees the best in the world, in other people and in me.

My life would have been fine either way but it is enriched because of the person sharing it with me.

So the question is: What is THE BEST thing about being married for you? (for those not currently married - what would you hope to have happened when married).....

For those who opt out of marriage and choose another way to go - that is fine and this is not an attack on the single life, living together or any other option - IT IS however a chance for the married folks to focus on what is right with the institution as there is scant chance to tout it elsewhere.

Thanks,

Von

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! My goodness...thanks for sharing the story of your great fortune!

Second of all, miss ya around here, Von!! Your posts have historically been among the most thought-provoking...

Best thing about being married? Hard to pick from a list of a dozen or so equal benefits from a harmonious and natural mate....mine, of course! In sum, I would have to say it is the comfort and security that exists from knowing that my/our family unit is a very solid, tight, familial team whose bond is blood and love and whose mission is to preserve the same.

Not to distract, but I find it tedious and unnecessary to end your great post with that politically correct caveat the way you did..."not an attack on the single life.." really? As a society we've reduced ourselves to that?

Edited June 11, 2014 by Youch

[Dan56]

Being divorced, I'm having a tough time coming up with anything, but I've assembled one hell of a list of the worst things about being married. But congratulation to all who made it work, your all pretty lucky,

Edited June 11, 2014 by Dan56