Originally Posted by LadyMischief

Yes, but most people have an unrealistic view of relationships in general... They think happily ever after and everything should be perfect. ANY relationship is a two-way street, and oftentimes once people say "I do", they think that should be the end of it and that's the beginning of the communication breakdown. Couples that stop talking to each other and just think marriage is the answer are going to fail, period. They aren't going to be happy, they aren't going to be anything but miserable. Those couples who keep talking are the ones who are happy when all is said and done. Not only that, but having a relationship with a strong basis of friendship and not just a "Oh I'm in love with you" definitely makes it easier to weather through the bad times.

My Aunt Lydia and Uncle Gust were married for *70* years, and to hear them you'd think they were fighting all the time. But you ask him and he would tell you to his dying day that she was the ultimate woman for him, and she would say the same of him. Their love was genuine and lasting. When I asked her why once, she said to me "Because we can both take a joke, honey". Friendship, comprimise, willingness to try, all elements of a lasting relatinoship that 90% of people today are too dumb or too selfish to attempt. Far too easy to just throw a marriage away, right?