Understanding the issues of life when you start a family at a young age is something no one will understand until they have experienced all the ups and downs that occur in a struggling family. Two kids, a young wife, and a young father working three jobs seems a little out of the ordinary for many, but when you have 3 mouths to feed and one sick baby, things quickly go from bad to worse.

One thing that I had been taught by my dad was that it takes a real man to overcome any obstacles that come his way in order to protect his family. This was my driving force in my many days of my overwhelming life, work, family, kids, and school functions. Marriage life of a young couple at an early age sometimes feels as if though we missed out in our 20's but the fact of the matter is that my wife and I were not selfish in any way, we lived our life for our kids so that they could have the things we never had as kids and I don't mean material things but rather a father and mother that were there for them when they needed them.

My wife and I never really had much time to ourselves because we were so busy with kids and their activities but I would not change that for the world. Yes life during the process of raising our kids was full of excitement, dealing with heartbreak, laughter, crying with them and watching them becoming young adults.

You might be asking how the relationship of my wife and I was during this time, it was rough but we made it through and for what its worth it brought my wife and I even closer. She is now my best friend and we are living our life now as if though we are in our 20's. She is my inspiration and my motivator, the fact that we went through so much heartache during our dark times is a testament in itself. We have been married almost 26 years now and we are in our mid 40's, active in the gym and active in our kids lives, however they have pretty much gone on their own. In a way it feels as if though my heart has been molded with her heart, I can feel her pain, laughter, and most importantly...her love. I cannot wait to get home to be with her!

So to you all the young couples out there raising a young family and enduring the hardships of life, facing adversity, remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel, let me tell you, don't try to live your life trying to keep up with the Joneses, that will only complicate any situation, live for your family and the rest will take care of itself. Whenever you think that things just aren't working out, stay focused on being strong willed, this will build character that will be an essential aspect in any marriage.