Quote about marriage

I get this weekly marriage email and there was a quote in this week's that I liked:

“The growth of love is not a straight line, but a series of hills and valleys. I suspect that in every good marriage there are times when love seems to be over. Sometimes these desert lines are simply the only way to the next oasis, which is far more lush and beautiful after the desert crossing than it could possibly have been without it.”

I think a lot of women tend to have an idealized vision of what marriage is supposed to be like, and then end up feeling bewildered when they realize it's not all hearts and kisses.

I know a couple of young women who are having a hard time in their marriages right now, to the point where they have seriously considered leaving. Not because they don't love their husbands but because being married wasn't what they thought it would be, for one reason or another. Throw in a good quarter-life crisis and it's a recipe for disaster. It breaks my heart when couples have marital problems. I just wish I could hand over to them what minute wisdom and patience I've learned over the past few years.

Anyway, not to get too heavy on a Friday! I'm just grateful that so far hubs and I have been able to work through what hard times we've gone through (TTC included) because now we're stronger, more in love, and happier than ever. :)