The "D" Word

Maybe I am alone in saying this, but does anyone else feel like Marriage is getting more and more disposable everyday?  I feel like every direction I turn I am faced with a new marriage falling apart. Honestly it scares me and it has made me really analyze my marriage.  Many of the people that are in this situation I have looked up to and thought their marriages "seemed" okay.  The bad thing is most the time the excuse is, I'm not happy, I feel like I settled for this marriage, and the best one, I'm addicted to sex... Lame Lame Lame. Honestly the real problem is that all three of those statements start with I and there is where the problem lies. I love this quote “Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other but, rather, with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have. In my judgment, the real essence of happiness in marriage lies not so much in romance as in an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one's companion. Thinking of self alone and of the gratification of personal desires will build neither trust, love, nor happiness. Only when there is unselfishness will love, with its concomitant qualities, flourish and blossom.” -President Gordon B. Hinckley

After I read that quote a few couples popped into my mind, and I am thankful I have them to look up to...

I don't personally know these two, but I feel like I do. Most of you know this story, but for the ones who don't here is why I look up to these two. Stephanie and Christen, a darling married couple with five kids, were in a horrible plane wreck over a year ago. They were both on the brink of death, Stephanie burned from head to toe. Long and great story short, no matter what they look like or what their disabilities are now they are in love. They keep each other alive and look to each other for support.  A great example of true love!

Anyone that has made it 60+ years of marriage belongs in my book of good examples of a successful marriage. I am lucky to call these two my grandparents. They always have smiles on their faces and my grandpa ALWAYS gives my grandma a kiss good bye. I love that. They do everything together, and don't ever act like they are sick of each other.

I can't remember a time that I have heard my parents yell at each other. I love that they still take time to go on dates and love to watch old boring westerns together. I doubt very few days have gone by that my Mom hasn't had a full  meal ready for my Dad when he got home, his laundry folded washed and put away and the house spotless. I doubt a day has gone by that my Dad hasn't worked his fingers to the bone, provided everything that a family could need and honored his priesthood. I love that my Mom waited for my Dad while he was on his mission, it just adds to there great love story.

 I have had numerous conversations with Shawn's Mom about how much pain Shawn's Dad is in all the time and still he wakes up each day and pushes through. She always has a tear in her eye at the end. Corey loves motorcycles, and even though it might not ever happen they always talk about having matcing Harleys and riding together. I hope someday they do.

Shawn's Grandparents have too been married for 60 + years. I love to watch these two. Even though I have never seen them kiss each other or say I love you it is through their actions that I see their love. Grandma Munk has Alzheimer and Grandpa Munk has now had to take on the many roles she had, like cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping, he had some big shoes to fill. And in return Grandpa Munk can hardly walk and without a doubt Grandma is by his side keeping him balanced, I guess you could say one couldn't live without the other.


If you weren't on this list don't be offended, after I started listing a few I realized that there are a lot of you out there that I look up to, thanks. This has made me realize that Shawn and I are in it for the long haul, and there is NO giving up. There may be a lot of divorce happening around us, and my heart hurts for the victims of selfishness, but there are also a lot of great examples around us too. Someone once said that they have a swear word in their house they call the "D" word. Not to be mistaken with the other "D" word :) and it is not aloud in any way shape or form in their house...I think they meant divorce. I too will add that to the list of  DO NOT SAY  in our house words too. I love you all and I know sometime divorce doesn't always go both ways, sadly. There are many people out there that are divorced and don't want to be, that makes me want to cry. I know that there is a soul mate out there for each of us and I am so grateful I have mine!