To Guy & Briana - Congratulations

Marriage. It's so much more than "for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health...". Marriage is for fatter and thinner, for at peace and at war. When his family frustrates you, when her family aggravates you. Dirty laundry, dirty dishes, dirty shower. When he yells. When she cries. Laughing and playing. Crying and grieving. When he forgets to brush his teeth - when she refuses to clean her hair out of the drain. When the sex is great - when it sucks - when you've forgotten to have sex in awhile. When the money's pouring in...and when it's rolling out.

The marriage commitment stands whether he calls an ex-girlfriend or she flirts with a stranger. Whether babies come too soon, too late, or don't come at all. When you marry, you do it for life - even when it feels more like a life sentence. There's bound to be rain - but also plenty of sun.

You're in it when bodies change and sag and droop. When the hearing goes - and also the hair. The commitment is for when the oven, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, or car engine needs to be fixed. And it's for when they all happen at the same time. Don't forget morning breath, farting, burping, and childbirth. It's a good thing you've become one!

Marriage is waking up at 3am in bed alone - and getting up to drag your spouse off the couch. It's telling secrets, but keeping them too. And knowing there are lines you never cross.

When the baby screams from one to four and the dog keeps scratching to go out - you'll know it's all real. Because marriage is worth it. And often you'll have to fight for it. Even when you've eaten pasta two weeks in a row! Love is for now...and always.

It's for shouting - in joy and anger. It's for different taste in movies and music. And furniture. It's for giving and receiving and every kiss at the end of the day. It's agreeing with your spouse in front of others to present a unified front. Even when you're sure they're wrong. It's for hospital visits and family vacations. Chocolate chip cookies or spam. When she can't sing and he can't dance. It's holes in your socks and in your alibi. You'll realize you're in it for love and trust and faith. There's security, peace, and gentleness.

But none of that means they won't someday break your heart. Was it hormones or a bad day at work? He said. She said. Sometimes you let them win so there's peace. You apologize when you really don't want to. And then you work on meaning it.

Marriage signifies two lives becoming one. With all their histories and baggage. Stories and wounds. "For richer, for poorer." Every day and every night. Which is great because you know you mean it. Right? You want there to be challenges. Adversity. Pain. Because it'll remind you it's real. And when it's real and someone pinches you - it hurts!

Marriage is often about dishes and laundry. Who's supposed to do them? 'Cuz you're sure it isn't you. And no matter how often you do them - you always have to do them over again. Someone should've recommended registering for a lifetime supply of paper plates and plastic forks!

Marriage will kick your butt. There's so much work involved - and not just housework ('though there's plenty of that). You work at loving the other in the ways they need to be loved. You work at effective communication and how NOT to fight. You work at keeping that romantic feeling alive and at having great patience with this, your best friend. You work at Christmas cards and thank-you cards and you might even wonder why. But your work will be rewarding. The love you see in her eyes, feel in his arms. It's all so worth it.