While reading the New York Times online yesterday, I came across this article: The Happy Marriage Is the 'Me' Marriage.
This article cites research that says the happiest marriages are those where the couples learn and grow individually because of the other person. Your spouse should open you eyes to new experiences, new values, etc, and, in so doing, you learn something new and grow as a person. Personal growth is needed for happiness. After all, no one wants to stay the same forever. We want to see new things, try new foods, have exciting experiences. When in a relationship with a partner who causes - or facilitates - these things to happen, happiness ensues.
This makes sense. After all, we've all heard that opposites attract. But this article means that a marriage is a place where each partner is given the freedom and support to grow individually.
Interesting, eh? Upon reflection, I see this kind of relationship in my parents' marriage. And that marriage has worked well for almost thirty-five years.
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