Work & Marriage Go Together Like A Horse and Carriage

You know they say "if you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life."  That quote could apply to marriage too.

I frequent a Mommy Board and came across a post discussing how marriage takes hard work.  Agreed, it's not always sunshine and rainbows and it takes a lot of patience, understanding, and work on both partners' behalf.  These are a few quotes from the discussion that I really felt I could relate to and felt particularly strong about passing on.

"Absolutely, marriage is hard work, but it's intermittent hard work (like labor). There are times when it's a dream, filled with tender moments and romance. When he picks flowers from the garden after mowing the lawn, when he opens a bottle of wine because he knows I had a rough faculty meeting, and when I listen to his ideas and think he's the smartest man alive. At those times, I feel so much stronger as a person because I have this amazing partner to share my life with. It is a fairy tale.

Then there are times when it takes energy just to talk to my husband about my week, when I feel offended by his very presence in the living room, when we are snapping at each other over who has taken the most 4am feedings, and when I feel lonely as I fall asleep at night because I can't remember the last time we had time (and/or desire) to kiss. Sometimes its a day, sometimes its longer. I think the key is working through the low points and riding the high points like a wave." 

"I think sometimes it's more than about love - it's about not being selfish and putting the other's needs first (which, in my opinion is love - the doing, not the feeling).  So, yes, sometimes that is hard work.  That being said, when you are in love and are married to your best friend, for the most part it can seem like it's not work at all.  You want to do whatever you can to see the other person happy and hopefully they do it in return!"

"Marriage is not only hard work that you have to consciously put effort into, but it is also far from romantic, at least for me. It takes time, effort, understanding, etc. And honestly sometimes all I want is a good glass of wine, a bath, a comfy bed and a good nights sleep. You have to be patient with each other when you feel that way but it is the hardest thing ever to be married, even more so then to be a parent!"


I don't think it could have been better said.  These are all valid and important statements that we could all probably relate to and take to heart.