by Yvette Jean-Bart

Created on: July 27, 2007

Wow, there is so much to be said about marriage and what it takes to be a married person. Marriage is that type of union that you get into with good intentions, but don't find out what you've really gotten yourself into until you're deep in it. Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing marriage, just emphasizing that you should definitely be open, honest and address your issues way before you say the big "I Do" Being married has its benefits and its downfalls. You are no longer a single person; you can't think as a single person anymore so you must think of everything in two's. You have someone else that is affected by the decisions you make, and bad decisions can make or break your beautiful union that cost $25K to make happen. Marriage is hard work.

Marriage is also beautiful and can be extremely satisfying, but there is a fine line between love and hate and being married, you find yourself treading that line pretty often. Before your family, friends and God, you agreed to love and cherish for better, for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health till death do you part. Guess what? Worse, poorer and sickness sometimes outweigh the loving, cherishing, better and health part.

You have to learn to take the good with the bad and to pick your battles. You have to know one another's moods, likes and dislikes and decide on how to tactfully handle sticky situations. If you know you're spouse will flip out if you don't make the bed, then make the blasted bed! Advice - be caring, generous, put each other first. Communicate, be affectionate and the better won't be worse that often.

Learn more about this author, Yvette Jean-Bart.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.