In this series, I have been exploring traditional marriage vows and their relevance to us today.
Where do they come from?
What is their meaning?
Is the meaning still relevant to us today in the context of any relationship?
In this last instalment, I explore the final words uttered before “I do” – “Till death do us part”.
When we make a promise we’re usually pretty sure we mean them when we say them and will do anything to keep those promises. A vow is like an unbreakable promise. A promise on steroids.
Yet, before we get legally married – the vows that promise us ‘forever’, one of the items on our to-do lists is PRENUP. The words “Community of property” are used in the context of explaining that is absolutely not what we want! Out of community, that’s the way. The other option is too risky… protect assets… and protect each other from debt… There are many different reasons for this decision to be made. But the reality is that a prenup is a preparation for divorce, in case things go wrong.
This post is not a commentary on prenups, though, so let me get to the heart of the matter. Divorce is common. There are plenty of people who will say if the marriage is tough if you don’t have feelings for that person anymore if either of you has changed too much, or even if you’ve met someone else, just get divorced. Life’s too short to be unhappy. You absolutely should be happy: But your happiness isn’t all that matters in the world, and the day you promise to love someone else forever, you acknowledge that fact.
Having said this, of course, there are marriages that are simply toxic. A marriage with repeated infidelity or abuse (emotional or physical) should come to an end. No one should have to stay in a marriage characterised by these, and if you are in such a marriage, seek assistance to get out of it. But most people who get divorced are not doing it for legitimate reasons. Many people throw in the towel when hard work is required to keep it going. A marriage should not constantly be hard work, but it involves effort, especially when times get tough.
As I’ve explored previously, feelings are fickle – they are wont to change over time because people change as they grow, age and experience new things and new life stages. But in a marriage, ’til death do us part’ means that when feelings start changing, when you start getting bored or wondering if this is what you really want, don’t just wait for something better to come along, or for something to change; make the change. Put in the extra effort with your partner – reconnect, invest time in the relationship, seek counselling, look at yourself and see how you can improve the relationship from your side. Give it your all, and really be able to say that you fought for it.
Sometimes it’s the accumulation of past hurts that leads to the feeling of challenges being insurmountable. Something, or some things, happen that cause us pain, and we battle to release our partner for what transpired, what they said or did or didn’t say or do. We are, after all, only human. If this is what is causing an emotional disconnect, resolve to express how you feel once and for all, and then DECIDE to forgive, and release your partner. We hold on to things because often feel we are justified in doing so. But love is not supposed to keep a record of wrong, so let it go. Work on what you did to contribute, change behaviours that were problematic, and ask for forgiveness where you need to. And then extend your own forgiveness freely.
My final word on the matter is this: Marriage can be hard – life is hard, we all know that. But when you commit to someone, really mean it. Be prepared to ride the waves, weather the storm, survive, and thrive, together. It’s tough, but it’s rewarding, and to be able to sit together one day and look back on a life well-lived, a love that survived the test of time, and something worthwhile that exists because you fought for it.
Don’t give up until you have tried absolutely everything. Stop asking why your partner is no longer making you happy, and ask when the last time was that you made your partner feel loved. Don’t look for the easy way out. Be careful not to fall into temptation because someone else seems to offer what you think you need. Fight for your relationship. When you say ’til death do us part’, don’t let it simply be words you repeat. If it was worth loving once, it’s worth fighting for, forever.
If you feel that you need to work through personal issues affecting your relationship or need couples therapy – please book an appointment today.
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