Till Death Do Us Part

I was on my way home this evening, and on a turn close to my home, I saw this old man push a cart with fruits on it. And beside him, was an old woman helping him push the cart. The physical strength she offered may have been insignificant, but I pondered about the emotional strength she offered.

I thought of marriage then as the desire to want to grow old with a person. I want to say ‘with the person you love,’ but I don’t trust the word or its connotations. And marriage seems too important to be about just love.

So often I’ve heard the reason for the D word: We fell out of love with each other. Yea, sure, that high of love fades. But which mature adult didn’t know that? Or maybe even that high doesn’t fade, but is found in other sources. Hilary Clinton spoke about the stones that form the foundations of her marriage: losing parents, having children, years of friendship…

I remember the movie Story Of Us. All throughout the movie I was convinced that I never would want to get married – it only ends in disaster! I remember calling a friend as the movie progressed: I never want to get married! Marriage never works! Love fades and it just doesn’t work out!

Those of you who don’t believe in marriage should watch it. If you are not married, till the very end you sigh in relief.

But the end has you longing for it.

And the power of the movie goes far deeper. Your spouse will be the only person who knows your deepest darkest secret, your most joyful moment and the moment you crumbled. He/she is the person who will share those key moments with you – those moments that will define you and define the course of your life. In fact, that’s the person who’s going to be walking down that course with you! Knowing someone so deeply makes it all so special. And there will be no one else who will know those moments.

I want to grow old with you.

Indeed, till death do us part.


Love is just lust in disguise, and lust fades, so you damn well better be with someone who can stand you.
-- Story of Us.