My philosophy on Marriage…

James Lady

Marriage, n: the state or condition of a community consisting of a

master, a mistress, and two slaves, making in all, two.

Ambrose Bierce

I believe marriage is like a garden – it responds to its immediate environment. 

A garden, or a marriage, will slowly die in the wrong environment, and hasn’t a chance to live in a hostile environment. 

Marriage, like a garden, responds to the nurturing it receives – or doesn’t.  When the proper balance of love, faith, caring and giving of one’s Self to the other in a marriage is maintained, the marriage garden will flourish.  Its colors will be vibrant.  Its roots will be strong and its offspring will be healthy.  Marriage, like a garden, will always be tested by times of drought, flooding and imbalances of nourishment.  The general health of the marriage garden will determine its ability to survive these challenging times.

I view marriage as a sacred commitment between two people who in common share similar ideals, values, experiences and compatible world views.  Marriage is the formal union of two souls, each freely given to the other without false expectations or conditions upon which the union is forged.  I view marriage as a shared and balanced experience - a partnership of two equal individuals – one designed not to compromise the individuality of one another, but to complement what each individual brings to the partnership.  I believe inherent in marriage is a mutual promise to honor, respect and to celebrate one another – as individuals and as the union of two souls.  I believe marriage is the promise of unconditional love, friendship, acceptance, tolerance and trust.  I believe marriage is a commitment to grow with one another, to protect one another and to provide support for one another throughout its life-long journey.  I believe marriage is (or ought to be) beautiful – like a healthy garden. 

Those who enter this institution should never do so lightly and should never do so without significant introspection and deliberation.  I believe great responsibility comes with this commitment, including a consistent, earnest effort to maintain the marriage and its foundations of mutual love, admiration, trust, support and respect.

I believe the vow “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'til death do us part” actually means something and was composed with purpose.