A friend asked me recently why Job and I, after so many years, decided to get married. I think after mumbling around for a bit I offered that we were ready to be family. The two of us sharing a name, having legal claim to one another’s fortunes and hospital visiting rights. All the things Chick-Fil-A hates.

She even asked was it because we were ready to have children. While kids were always in the plan, that wasn’t really the clencher. We’re just not that traditional.

I’ve actually thought about it more since she asked. I’ve even asked Job. And the conclusion is, I (we) don’t know. We can’t exactly remember why we decided to get married. Not in the Tyler Perry sense. We don’t bemoan the fact that we’re married. Us being us was just always going to be.

The real answer is we got married for lots of reasons. A constellation of reasons and timing and age and whim. None of which matter once you’re actually married. Which I think might be most helpful to those considering taking the plunge.

All the before’s fall away. Every single day isn’t necessarily a happily ever after. Marriage is a marathon. It’s as long as it is hard. And as hard as it is awesome. There are days when I am brimming with love and there are days when I sincerely dislike him. But hey, we’re family. And we always will be.