I have wanted to be married my whole life, and as a single person I idealized the marital relationship. Once I actually got married, however, I soon learned that it's not exactly what I'd expected.

I got married when I was 29 years old, and that was a long time to be single. I had become rather set in my ways, and enjoyed the independence that came with it. I could do what I wanted when I wanted to do it without checking with anyone else first. I could make my own plans, do the activities I wanted to do, eat what I wanted... It was nice to have that kind of freedom and autonomy. It was also rather lonely. 

When I met Jade I knew I had found my soul mate and I was excited to enter into marriage. During the first few weeks I felt like I was floating on a cloud, and everything was wonderful. Then real life set in and I discovered how many adjustments had to be made now that I was no longer single... I couldn't just make plans by myself anymore; I had to consider another person. Most of my decisions now affected someone else. Initially my carnal flesh rebelled at that facet of being married, and resented the loss of some of my freedoms. It was difficult, and required dying to self like the Bible talks about.

Jade is an only child, so she was not accustomed to sharing like I was... Learning to share her time, space and possessions was an adjustment that took time to develop. Like all successfully married couples, however, we learned to make the necessary changes and have come to really enjoy each other.

Life as a married person is so much richer and more fulfilling, and I can't even imagine what my life would be like without Jade by my side. I have a best friend that I can share my life with, enjoy spending time with, and build a family with. She is such a blessing from God and my life has been enriched in countless ways because of our marriage.