Love and Marriage: Remember to Be Kind

Whether your special day was backed by the sounds of church bells or chirping birds, the day always ends with "I do." However, what happens next? What happens when the honeymoon ends and life creeps back in? Living in marriage is the next challenge, which is continually growing and changing daily. So how do you survive it? How do you get that happily ever after?

In my case, I got married young to my best friend and childhood friend. We have been married for two years and have two fur babies that are more spoiled than the royal children. We both work and focus intensely on our careers and often lean on each other for support in hard times. We have established with each other that we will always have each other back, whether right, wrong, or indifferent. We prioritize our time together, whether seeing each other for ten minutes one day or sitting on the couch slumped in a pile of chip crumbs and blankets the next. Either way, we are happy.

Though many days are happily spent, there are bad days, too. There are arguments and disagreements. Feels are bound to be hurt, and frustrations are bound to come around. It's entirely natural for this to occur! However, what we do to solve it shows how we value our relationship and respect for each other. Arguments don't turn into screaming matches with slammed doors and tears being shed. Arguments turn into conversations. Talking to your partner about the problems and finding solutions that make you both happy is the key to a long-term relationship.

Relationships are not easy, and no one has ever claimed they are. They are work, every day, all day, and it is okay if every day isn't sunshine and rainbows, but love should always be there. You should always have the intent to love and respect your partner through everything that you do in your relationship because, before you know it, weeks after the wedding turn into years. The wedding dress gets put away, and it's time to build new memories and continue growing with your partner however you see fit.

Love is a beautiful thing when you share it with the right person. While marriage is complex and has many tries and tribulations, there is still so much beauty in spending your life with your partner. Remember to be kind to each other, keep love as a priority, and create the life you always dreamed of together. Whether your marriage started surrounded by friends and family or at a courthouse with just the two of you, remember that feeling and excitement and strive to keep that love alive and well.