The act of being a parent in many ways mirrors the act of being a spouse. Even the act of conceiving a child and having that child develop within a sacred womb for nine months can resemble the process of becoming a spouse. In conception there is connection...sperm meets egg...connects..and there is life. When you met your spouse there was an undeniable connection that created the beginning of what is now your marital journey. Once life has begun there is the safe cocoon period where the fetus is developing and growing until it is born. When my husband and I started down our journey we had our period where we were nestled in one another. We were one against everything else; we were blossoming; we were growing; we were bonding until it came time for the birthing process of marriage to take place. And when it happened it was similar to child birth for me because there was a lot of tearing and letting go and deep breathing and faith.When I gave birth to my son it hurt...but that hurt led to indescribable joy. I had to let go of being single and care free when I became a mother; I didn't know what I was doing and had to trust and have faith that my son would be born healthy and whole. I had to give up a lot to give birth to him. But I wouldn't change it for the world.

And that's what marriage is to me. I. Would. Not. Change. It. For.The. World.  I am devoted to my son. When the world doesn't believe in him; I will. He knows that there is nothing that I wouldn't do for him and he knows that I will never give up on him. Ever. My son is my "forever ever? forever ever?" Yes, forever and I couldn't be happier because of that. So my husband has my heart the same way. I will not give up on him because it's hard. I won't give up on us because it's not fun anymore. I'll keep trying even when I don't feel like it. I'll give him my best even when I don't want to because our growth as a married couple lies in me. If I do my part he can't help but do his. It wasn't always fun when my son was a baby and I was tired. I didn't always feel like getting up to care for his needs but I did. And I did it without thinking. And I continue to love my son and give him my best...even when I don't feel like it...because my relationship with him is not based on my feeling at the moment. It doesn't change on a whim. It is steady....regardless of what's going on.

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I give my husband that exact commitment.

So this is why I view marriage in the same vein that I view parenting. I won't give up on either commitment regardless of how I feel.