One year of married...bliss?

My husband and I are about to celebrate our first year of marriage this December. I'm quite proud of this milestone because I behaved myself really well which means to say that there has been no hurled dinnerware, thrashed furniture and/or broken appliances thus far. But this is not to say that we've also  avoided arguments, silent dinners or tearful drives home. In fact, these happened one time too many in the span of one year. So what does these all mean for us? That we had a good first year together? That we did great in some areas but not in others? How can one determine if a relationship or marriage is going well or not - by the frequency of heated arguments? The intensity of Woohoos (to quote The Sims Social)? The number of deep and meaningful conversation per day?

I do not claim to be an expert in the field of relationships. In fact, I can only count with two hands the number of meaningful and treasured relationships I currently keep. I don't have regular group dates with the girls, I tend to turn down invites for drinks from colleagues due to allergies with alcoholic beverages, and I don't regularly keep in touch with old friends - things that I'm not exactly proud of but are true nonetheless. So with this non-expertise in relating with people, how can I rightly say if my marriage has been successful? I can think of only one measurable variable and that would be if the marriage made the couple (and the kids) better individuals. What the hell am I going on about here, you might ask. Well, if a marriage brings about more responsible, socially aware and concerned couples, if the marriage produces responsible, socially aware and concerned kids, won't that mean that the marriage is successful and has served its purpose?

In the span of our first year together, I saw how my husband provides for his parents reflexively, like it was already a part of his system. I have seen how he and his family solve issues together. I have observed how my husband tends to our house and our belongings carefully. I have heard from my husband how he views his challenges at the office pragmatically and objectively. These observations have made me look at myself ,  realize my shortcomings and eventually aim for self-improvement. I can't answer for my husband, but looking at where and who I am right now and comparing that to where and who I was a year ago, I am definitely, absolutely, positively sure that this relationship has been nothing but good for me. And for that I am so  thankful. This marriage has indeed made me a better person, a more understanding daughter, a caring sister, an open-minded daughter-in-law, an organized housekeeper, a discerning employee and a thankful, grateful person.

Posted in: Family