What Does Marriage Mean?

   As you get older and life goes on, there seems to be one thing on everyone else's mind...
You hear it everywhere you go: "When are you getting married?" or better yet, "When are you going to start a family? It's your duty to the world to have kids, ya know?"
   Well, what if I don't want to have tons of children? What then? Am I some horrible person?!
Sorry. Back on topic.
   So what does "Marriage" really mean? And why do people just assume you're going to marry straight out of high school and start pumping out kids?
   In reality, isn't getting married something you should wait for? I'm not saying anything against people who get married fresh out of high school, trust me. My mom was married at 18 and my sister married at 19. So really, I guess it's less about age and more about making sure that you're sure, that you're sure, that you want to marry the person. I mean, you're spending the rest of your life with them, right??
    We ask ourselves questions like:
        -Will I actually be able to contain my frustration about their annoying habits for the rest of my life?
        -Can I put up with their mother?
        -Does this person love me enough to do whatever it takes to keep me happy?
 Let's just stop right there... It isn't their job to make you happy...
     Marriage is a covenant between two people that means "I will do whatever I can to love you how you deserve to be loved, unconditionally." Now, "unconditionally" literally means "no conditions". so, this doesn't mean, IF you treat ME the way I feel I should be treated, then I'll love and honor you. Too many people don't understand that concept.
     It's so easy to get caught up in what you want/need that you forget your first priority is to love the other person. Unconditionally.
     People are people. Things will never be perfect, and things won't always go the way you think they should. But, as long as you keep the focus on loving them and keeping your bond strong, you should be okay.
     So, here's where choosing the right one comes in... You can't love just anyone more than you should care about yourself. Make sure that this person loves you, too. It's very important. And most importantly make sure you talk to God about it. He'll never let you down! (;
  -XOXO- Jess