Love may be blind but marriage is a real eye-opener! - Anonymous
Marriage is the reality of love. A lot of couples today are faced with this impending question of, when should they tie a knot and what is the best age to get married. The simplest answer to these questions is, there is no fixed age, as age is just a number. The reason why I say so is because marriage takes more than your age to happen. The dynamics of a wedlock are slightly more demanding than you think and a lot of factors need to be considered before getting married.
A Mutual Agreement
For all of you who fear to ask a girl to prom, let me assure you proposing for a marriage is a bigger deal. You may be in a relationship for over a decade, but how ready are you? OK! You may be ready, but is your partner ready? Is your partner willing to take your responsibility in sickness and in health? Will your partner be there when you are down and low? A marriage is a mutual agreement. I fail to understand couples, who cannot communicate their wants and expectations (and we all have them) to each other. So, a preparatory leave (time you spend in a relationship), is meant to understand one other's needs, signing (intangible) agreement and importantly, practicing the agreed.
It's a Joint Venture
A joint venture (for the sake of convenience JV), is defined as "an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together. The parties agree to create a new entity by both contributing equity, and they then share in the revenues, expenses, and control of the enterprise." (You can skip the 'more parties' part). Do I need to explain more??
Respecting Cultures
To be honest and fair to myself, I am a racist. I am sorry, but I am. And let's have a moment of truth here: all of us are racists under the skin. Now, the question of racism will predominantly haunt you, if you are one, a politician, and two, if your partner belongs to another race. You need to consider your tolerance quotient first. Developing an open mind, being a part of the culture, understanding it and knowing its finer nuance, will get you closer to your partner. I would want to quote Barbra Streisand here, Why does a woman work ten years to change a man's habits and then complain that he's not the man she married? Instead of changing each other and fighting over cultural differences, if you spend time knowing the importance of the rites and rituals, maybe you'll know the secret of making a marriage work. This also, highlights the 1st labor of your life, the aging in-laws.
Legally Married
In-laws are for me, a real mess. However, once you are legally married, you are not just married to your spouse, but your in-laws too. Cliched as it may sound, but it's the reality. One of the important things to know before getting married, is your compatibility with your immediate family-to-be. Sharing a healthy bond goes a long way in saving your marriage. After a family stands by you (and it does) through thick and thin. Moreover, if you would be staying away from them, it's just about putting up with them on occasions, ceremonies and a few holidays. Worth the effort for the love of your life, I say!
Emotional Compatibility
Next comes the emotional compatibility with your partner. If you want to be with a person, chose one who allows you be yourself. Being in an emotionally sound wedlock, saves the effort of watching out for emotional cheating signs. Before you decide to say 'I do', make your partner your confidante, your support, your shoulder to cry on, your imaginary friend, your anchor and that special person whom you can call in the dead of the night.
There are millions of situations that arise during wedlock, but if you can comprehend and handle these forces of marriage, then consider yourself ready. So, whether you understand this concept at the age of 20, 21, 32, 35, 45, or 65, remember that's the moment when you should take the big step forward into a brand new life. Good luck!
