Marriage series part one: the binding agreement

Marriage Series Part 1: The Binding Agreement

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 Introducing The Marriage Series part one: The binding agreement. A three part indepth look at what marriage is. What does marriage have to do with health you say? Good quality marriage does wonders for a persons well being. 
            16 years ago, October 27, 2001 I married the love of my life. It was a day I will never forget. It was my own little fairytale.
            When my husband proposed to me I was clueless that this was even going to happen! My parents knew because he asked for my hand in marriage.  It happened August 4th, 2000 during a date at a very nice Portuguese restaurant. After we ate our dinner, the waiter asked if we would like dessert and I said no thanks. My then boyfriend said, yes you would like dessert!
            The waiter brought out a tray filled with rose petals and placed it in front of me.
            “Where’s the dessert?” I said. Meanwhile, my husband was out of his seat and on his knees by my side. I looked down at him and was speechless! He reached onto the platter and picked up the ring box that was hidden under the petals.
            I was crying, shaking, happy, nervous, feeling all types of emotions and deaf – because I couldn’t hear what he asked me.  Even though I knew what he was asking me. He asked me again, and I said yes!
            The whole restaurant was watching and clapped when I said yes. These were the days before everyone had a cell phone, so no it wasn’t posted on YouTube. But I remember it like it was yesterday.
            Being married is wonderful. I love having him by my side, he is my biggest fan and me his. But it hasn’t always been a bed of roses. We have responsibilities that we have to work at to keep our love going strong. But it is so worth it and makes me have a better quality of life.
            According to PewResearch.org 88% of people surveyed cited love as the top reason to get married.  However, marriage is on the decline; half of Americans ages 18 and over were married in 2015, compared with 72% in 1960.1 34% of people aged 25-34 would like to get married but don’t feel financially prepared for the commitment.1… News flash!! You may never feel financially ready for marriage. If you are in love and can’t live without that special someone you will make a way, sacrifice is a part of marriage – we’ll cover that later.
            Even though marriage is on the decline, I believe most ladies want to get married – to have their man they love get down on one knee and declare his love and his need for her to spend the rest their lives together. Most of us want to have that special someone to share life and grow old with. Every lady has the same reaction when her guy gets down on one knee. Jumping, crying, shaking, laughing, etc. Just watch some of the proposal videos on YouTube.  
   Marriage is not to be taken lightly. Marriage is a covenant.  “A covenant is a serious binding agreement between two parties – one that carries with it not only certain blessings but also responsibilities. A covenant carries with it a sense of connectedness of two becoming one.”2 This definition is from Kay Arthur’s Covenant God’s Enduring Promises Bible study workbook.  Covenants involve sacrifice and celebration.
   This binding agreement is between three people: man, woman and God. The Lord is the witness between the marriage covenant. Each party in this agreement has certain responsibilities to uphold. For example, the wedding vows: For Richer or poorer, in sickness and health, etc. Those are some of the responsibilities that you are agreeing to uphold. God’s blessing and covering is upon this covenant.
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    Thanks for reading the Marriage series part one: The binding agreement. Next post will be part two: two shall become one. Please follow me on Instagram, fb, twitter and or YouTube. Don’t forget to check out the Love Letter Collection and sign up for the faith – filled fabulous woman list. Love ya!
           
 
            References:

1.  Livingston, G and Caumont, A. 5 facts on love and marriage in America. Pew Research Center. Fact Tank.  2/13/2017 Retrieved on 10/30/2017 from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/13/5-facts-about-love-and-marriage/
2. Arthur, Kay. Covenant. God’s Enduring Promises. Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press; 2009