Marriage was the topic of discussion this week; specifically the changes that come from getting married. I had honestly never really considered a lot of what we learned this week. There is so much stress that comes with marriage. I have never really had to share things in my life with anyone else. My only other sibling is a sister who is 5 years older than me, so I always had my own room, clothes, games, etc. Being on a mission probably prepared me a little for this massive transition that I will one day go through, but I learned this week that I am going to have to share EVERYTHING with my future wife. Money, vehicles, living space, the bed, etc. It's going to be weird and probably uncomfortable at times.
The thing that stuck out to me the most that wasn't specifically mentioned in class was the thought that couples sometimes make the mistake of not being 100% open and candid with each other with their concerns before the wedding. I feel as if the courting and engagement stages of a relationship are all rainbows and butterflies and it gets even better on the honeymoon. However, once the magic of being newlyweds wears off, the reality and stress of marriage kicks in with all the conflicts and concerns. If anything, I made a resolve to myself this week to be completely straight up and honest with my future fiancee/spouse in all things. I know it will be harder at first, but it will definitely make our marriage easier and make things go more smoothly as we transition to married life.
Another thing that really scared me was the idea of having a child once I'm married. I don't plan on having any kids until my wife and I are both graduated from college and out of Rexburg, but (as many LDS couples around here can probably tell me) things don't always work out the way we plan them. I learned this past week that marriage satisfaction rates drop with each birth of a child and then finally pan out after a point. Something that I'm going to do when my wife is pregnant to help decrease the stress on my marriage is to be there for her all the time. I know I'll have to work and whatnot, but when I'm home I'm going to be all hers for whatever she may need. And that wont change once she has the baby. I'm going to be as involved as possible in each and every pregnancy and childbirth in my future family. I know it's going to be really hard, but the hard work will pay off when it saves my future marriage and strengthens my family.
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