Marriage - it's not the end of a journey, but the beginning of one.

I remember hearing that quote the year that I was engaged to be married while a student at Evangel University in Springfield, MO. I was in my senior year, while my fiance' was going to school in Texas. There was a pre-marital workshop being held in one of the classrooms and unfortunately, I went alone.

The professor spoke of many different things we would encounter as a married couple. At that time, I couldn't fathom any of it. I was sooooo in love. Then, the professor said, "Marriage is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of one." I quickly wrote that quote down in my notes.

"What could he mean by that?" In my 22-year-old brain, I had prayed long and hard for the right man to come along. And he did. It had been a long journey, or so I thought, to get that ring on my finger.

He explained that as a married couple there will be many ups and downs and that the journey would be, at least, for the next 50 years or so. He taught that we needed to be ready for those ups and downs, for better or for worse.

Marriage has been a journey, a wonderful one. I am a better person now than I was 22 1/2 years ago. My husband has led our family in serving God and putting Him first in our lives, he has given me three beautiful children and he even took me across the equator to live where I learned Spanish, one of my life-long dreams.

I've decided that when things do get rough, just keep on keepin' on. It will pass. Seasons come and seasons go and then, they come around again.

So, what is your take on marriage? Are you preparing for the BIG WEDDING DAY with little thought about the next 50 years to come? How do you know he is the right one for you? Can you imagine him being the father of your children and raising them? Do you have a checklist of things you are looking for in a husband? If not, make one today!