I hope you don't read this with the intention of receiving marriage advice. That's not what this is about, nor am I experienced enough to give it. My husband and I are quickly approaching our first year anniversary and it has been a wonderful year! Tough, hard, beautiful, challenging, frustrating, amazing, heartwarming, and breathtaking. I know a lot of people will read this and think I have no idea what I am talking about because I haven't even been married a year, and there are others out there that will read this and think I am an expert because I am finding a way to balance it all. Neither are true. I am definitely not an expert, but I have learned more in this short year than I thought was possible.
Being married in college is hard. I get mixed responses when people find out I am a married, working, volunteering, full-time college student. Personally, I don't really care what their opinions are simply because I am on my own life path. But, that doesn't stop the comments, both negative and positive, from being said.
Marriage is beautiful, but it is also ugly. Marriage is so rewarding, yet it is truly challenging. Marriage is inspiring and terrifying all at the same time. Marriage isn't something to be taken lightly, and I get mistaken to be that type of girl often. Just because I am younger than the average bride doesn't make me think of marriage as a smaller commitment.
Marriage is something to look forward to every single day. It is knowing someone is always there for you, whether they are on your side and backing you up or saying you're wrong when you need to hear it. Marriage has taught me more about myself than anything else ever could. I've learned my weaknesses and strengths. I've learned what drives me absolutely nuts but what also makes me happy.
Marriage has taught me that there is more to life than just myself. It has taught me that one of the easiest ways of finding joy and feeling fulfilled is by loving others and showing kindness, even when you've had a rough day and don't really want to do anything.
Marriage has taught me to be more considerate and less selfish. To think about how my daily choices affect all of those around me, and what impact they could leave. Marriage has taught me that I am not always right, nor am I always wrong. It has shown me my good side and my truly awful side. It has revealed my character flaws and what I excel at. Marriage has taught me to believe in something bigger than myself.
Marriage is more than what the movies, books and pretty pictures of houses and families portray because they generally only show the good sides. But what makes a marriage great is the good stuff, but also all the bad that you have to go through in order to come out better and stronger. Whether it is over who is cleaning the dishes, or who can't sleep at night because the other snores, or whose turn it is to cook dinner, or what bills to pay, or what takes priority, the arguments will arise. But just realize at the end of the day, if you are with the person you love then everything will be alright.
If you're someone in the same shoes, don't let the negative comments get you down. Marriage is all about what you put into it, not what you get out of it. Marriage isn't 50/50, it's 100/100 all the time.
Marriage isn't something to be taken lightly. It is the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I hope it is that way for all of us celebrating anniversaries this year.
Happy anniversary.
