"Old Fashioned"

Today my wife and I celebrate thirty-six years of marriage. And yes on my next birthday I will be one hundred and two years old! My wife said to me this morning, "How can we have been married for 36 years when I only feel about 38 years old?" All I know is I want there to be 36 more years of married bliss ahead of us. 

I remember clearly when we got married. I was scared to death. I wanted to be married but I was afraid of what would happen if I weren't happy. I had been raised to think divorce was a no-no so I figured if I got married and it wasn't right then I was stuck. But as I was standing at the altar in the church waiting for my bride to walk in, I decided right then and there if I was unhappy then I would get out of it. That eased my mind and I have been happy ever since.

I know that sounds a little loony but my theory actually became "plan the divorce and then you will have a happy marriage." I am just a person who has to have an escape clause, even if I would never use it except in the most extreme circumstances.

My wife and I got married and had our children after we were married. Now there is a revolutionary concept. In today's world, especially among celebrities. It seems getting the marriage license is not a necessity. Angelina and Brad, Tom and Katie - the requirement for being wed before having children is passe'. 

What adults do is their business, but what adults do to children is another matter. I could care less what consenting adults decide to do with their lives. But when they make decisions that impact on their children then I think they should think twice. In most areas of the country the term "illegitimate" is not used as commonly as it once was. That doesn't, however, mean it is gone forever, and it doesn't mean it couldn't return with a vengeance.

Children have a hard enough time as it is. They don't need some added stigma or mark against them. They need every break their parents and society can give them. To have their parents choose not to make their union legal is just asking too much of a child.

And why not get married. If a couple are in love and are compatible, and especially if they want to have children -why not make it legal! I know that it meant something to me all those years ago to stand up in front of God, family and friends and make a commitment. And now from today's perspective I wouldn't change a thing.

I have heard there can not be anything worse than a bad marriage, but I can vouch for the fact that there is nothing better than a good one. I honestly can not imagine being single again. Marriage is definitely the right state for me.

So call me old fashioned but I am truly celebrating the past thirty-six years. It is a celebration of love, fidelity, family and friendship. In one word it is EVERYTHING!

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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