Holy Matrimony

In today's society, marriage is accepted as a part of life. It's something that you're expected to do at a certain point of your life. But why must everyone comply? If you're not married, does it mean you're a lesser person? Does it mean that you're not lovable or attractive enough?

At first, the problem was just to find yourself a boyfriend. Like marriage, it is something you're expected to have. If you don't have one, people will ask you (or if they are discreet and sensitive enough, ask your friends), why you don't have one? Even if they don't ask, they will think it and wonder to themselves.

And soon, you'll reach that age where you're 'expected' to be married. Probably as you inch closer to the big 30. Other people hear your biological clock ticking. "You're way past your prime... it only goes downhill from now!" is what you'll hear people screaming away in their heads. And before long, you start to believe it. I've been to enough weddings to have the question "When's your turn?" posed to me. And frankly, I really don't know what to say to that. "I don't know... when I actually find someone I want to marry?" And that is the hardest part. Or maybe it's the other side of the story, where I find someone who wants to marry me.

So here's the question: What's so great about marriage anyway? Why do people feel like they HAVE to do it? Is it because you're expected to? To continue on the family line? To have a companion for life (that is if you stick through it for life!)? To have someone to support you financially and emotionally?

I know marriage has its ups... but it also has many downs. Is it all worth it in the end? Well, only the married can answer that question. :)