by Michelle Shelton

Created on: August 15, 2009   Last Updated: October 07, 2009

How can marriage impact your life expectancy? Well, my parents were married for 63 years by the time my dad died. There were times when I thought marriage could shorten your life because they would have some aweful fights. The thing is, they always made up and seemed to love each other even more. I think marriage can impact your life expectancy, just maybe not it's longevity! I know there have been times when I wanted to murder my husband...yet, I always knew there would be no divorce. I suspect he feels the same way. As you are about to read here, there were a few specific times when I would have died without him so now I do know for sure that marriage has improved my life expectancy.

My mother told me that getting married prolongs your life so, November 22, 1989, I jumped in with both feet! I remember the day we were married very clearly. It was a beautiful day in Arizona. We were both 26 years old. We didn't want a big wedding and decided to go to the justice of the peace. It was sort of weird. The JP had a large toupee' on his head and it made his head look strange. He was pale and seemed to disappear in his robe. His pale skin made his jet black, fake hair, stand out more. I remember thinking it was the best day of my life. I had found that person. You know, "The One". I was excited. My closest friends were there and we went to a restaurant to celebrate afterwards.

It is 2009 and that was nearly 20 years ago. I am glad I got married that day. It has been a roller coaster ride at times and I would not trade one single second of it. I know it has prolonged my life because I am still alive. Any other man would have killed me by now.

I know I will live longer because I am married. I have a partner. There was the time I got so sick and was in bed for days. He was there with chicken soup and Seven Up. He brought me crackers and checked my temp. I know for sure, I would have died right there that night if he hadn't been there. I am telling you, I was calling the dinosaurs. My ribs were about to crack and my head was going to split in half and you know what? He gave me some Ibuprofen and put me to bed. I was supposed to die then. I was 32.

Then there was the time I was driving and talking. I was so engrossed in my story that I didn't see the car speeding toward the intersection. My husband screamed at me and he saved my life again. It was amazing. I realized how wonderful he was to scream at me so I was able to stop before we were T-boned and killed. It was on my side of the car too so I know I would have been dead.

Another time when one of the kids had some struggles in school, my husband and I went to talk to the teacher. They wanted us to go to the principal and talk to her so we did and when we left, my husband pointed out that the principal wanted to strangle me and right when she was ready to put her fingers around my neck and squeeze was when he interjected and saved the day.

I know my husband has lived longer because he was married to me because I feed him special food so he won't be fat and die of heart disease. Although he doesn't always like this, it has prolonged his life. In 20 years, there have been many times we have supported each other in a long life.

My parents were married 63 years and my husband's parents were married 53 years. Both of them lived long and healthy lives. I am sure it was because they were married. You have someone to care for you, you have a partner to watch your back.

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