In June of this year, my wife and I will have been married for fifty-five years. It seems like a life time to some people. I have no regrets. I have learned a lot from her. I owe my happiness to her. The next question is usually phrased as “What is the secret to your success?”

I submit that there is no secret to our success. But it is important to align yourselves with someone who has the same “moral compass.” If you miss this, your chances of remaining happily together are nearly impossible.  

You do not have to be concerned about what you have in common. You discuss the differences.  I am an introvert, and she is an extrovert. She likes sports and I do not. She does not ask me to take her to games. She likes onions and garlic, I abhor them. She puts them in a zip-lock bag so I do not see them or smell them.  

As of 2023, the last data available from Pew Research Center, there were about 111 million single adults ages 18 and up in the United States. That is a sizable increase from 70 million in 1990. Have they given up on marriage? Women do not have to depend on men for their legitimacy. Men still try to control their decisions by passing other laws.

Some women say they would like to marry but have been disappointed by the prospects available to them. No one wants to take credit for their behaviors. As an ordained minister, and chaplain, I have decided not to perform any marriage ceremonies.

A lot of the assumptions we used to make about people were based on their relationship status,” said Dr. McGraw, who lives in Denver and hosts the podcast “Solo: The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life.” “If I knew you were single or married, I would feel like I knew a lot about you — like how you live, your values, your lifestyle. A lot of those assumptions are false now.”

As a teacher, speaking about my children, I would say that I have a grown son and daughter. my son is married and has three children. They would ask, how many children does she have? She is not married. They would look puzzled.  As to say, what does that have to do with it.

In the Bible, marriage is instituted by God as a sacred, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, designed to reflect the union between Christ and the church. It involves leaving parents, uniting as “one flesh,” and acting as a partnership of mutual support.