It’s amazing how little forethought and preparation goes into marriage for, I estimate, 95% of couples. We go to school for at least 12 years, not counting postsecondary education to prepare for the workforce. The thought of planning and preparing for a large wedding would provoke a major panic attack, and I don’t suffer from an anxiety disorder. I’m in my second marriage and both ceremonies had fewer than 10 people, including the priest/minister!

My husband and I have opposite temperaments but the same world-view and values, but not so many of the same tastes. There aren’t too many movies we’d watch together, and he’s kind enough to use earphones so I can have the silence I crave.

We’re good at opposite things which works well. He’s extremely patient with my limitations, and we’ve learned to accept the ways we’re different.

Character is everything. Without that, nothing else would work and marriage would be a living hell.