It's about Marriage. It's about Charity.

Photo: Endless Photography

I love when Brayden kisses me goodbye before he goes to work. The smell of his cologne is left lingering in the room for a few moments after he leaves. My attempts to breath it all in before it fades away nearly make me lightheaded, but I don't mind. I love him. I am starting to understand this "cleaving" thing.

I am a romantic. I never wished on shooting stars, instead when I saw a star shooting across the sky I would pray. Wishes are words released into space whereas prayers take action, prayers are answered. As a child, I prayed for the same three things, one of which was my husband. I didn't know him, but I know I would find him and I wanted him to be blessed.

The designs of my wedding dress were often consumed my notebooks. I fantasies about love and my imagination always daydreaming about the wonders of the future.

Marriage is perceived so much differently in the world now... If a marriage is even considered. Songs about cheating and a one-night stand blast across the radio. Movies are filled with adultery and lust. Tonight I was watching a documentary on J.K. Rowling, her husband abused her... my throat was clenched the whole time. How could that even happen? In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, "A husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other... fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as an equal partner." It is a sacred privilege that is a lot of work and brings so much happiness.

While I was getting ready for school yesterday, I turned on Spotify and a song came on that isn't like the usual jams we listen to nowadays. It's a song called My Guy, by Mary Wells. Nothing will take her away from her guy or keep her untrue, she is going to be faithful to her guy because she loves him so much. That is how love, should be.

However, I think relationships are built more on the love that you have for someone, even though, that is a plus. Charity is key. Mormons consider charity to be "the pure love of Christ" which carries a lot more weight. Charity is love, but love is not charity. Charity is service, but service isn't charity either. Charity is pure, honest and sweet. Charity brings joy to both the one receiving and the one giving. Charity helps us center our lives on our Savior. Charity from both parties is the key to a successful marriage.

I have been married nearly four months... So I can't support this blog with years of experience, like many I know who will read this. I know there will be and are rough patches in all marriages that need resolving. But I stand by my theory of Charity.