Love And Marriage

Its amazing what conversations will stick with you, even five years after they happen.

In high school I was rather synical towards what love truly was. To the whole concept of marriage and having a "good life."

What is a "good life?" Is it a wife and kids? A white picket fence? What about a good job?

At the time (and part of me still thinks this) I believed that to have a marriage that was going to last, love was not needed.

Think about it. All you really need is the physical attraction and the ability to live with that person. We all have friends that we know we could probably live with. Add in a physical attraction and it could work.

But the less synical side of me now sides with the friend I had this conversation with. Love is what makes a relationship special. Will true love be there right away? Not in all cases, but that's what dating is for.

A marriage without love may last, it may lead to love... but if the love isn't there, then it won't make you happy.

There are many definitions for what a "good life" is. But I believe that a "good life" is a life full of happiness. Whether you own your house, or rent an apartment. Whether you love your wife, or you settled. Whether you make $100,000 a year or $10,000... as long as you are happy, you will have a "good life."