Some say love...

Everyone looks for something different in relationships, but many people have the same core values. For me, I look for a person that I can be completely comfortable and open around. I won't have a problem expressing my own opinions. I would respect my boyfriend/husband/etc and support his endeavors and try to be a source of happiness in his life. Of course, I would expect the same or similar treatment from him. I think I would know true love when a person is fully giving of his or herself. That person is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of happiness for the other person and always considers the other person when making decisions. Finally, I want my husband or boyfriend to be my best friend.
I also want a relationship to make me happy, not stressed or upset or angry. A song like "This Love" by Maroon 5 demonstrates an unhealthy relationship. The song illustrates a relationship that is both physically and mentally exhausting. The couple in the song has obviously experienced many break-ups and fights. This sounds honestly like a nightmare. I want a steady relationship that is not like a roller coaster.
I know that there will be hard times in life and I know I will need someone to lean on at times. I can only hope that my boyfriend or husband will be with me to brighten my days. The song "Better Together" by Jack Johnson sort of describes an ideal relationship to me. Johnson explains that he cannot explain his love fully in words, but he knows that life is just plain better when he is with his partner. That is the kind of love that I think is normal and that everyone desires.
In addition, the song "Closer to Love" by Mat Kearney really relates to my desire of supportiveness in love. Kearney sings about how his partner is going through a particularly tough time in her life. He lets her know that he will always be there for her and will be with her every step of the way. The rough times also bring Kearney and his partner closer to each other.
Next is one of my favorite songs ever, which is "Yellow" by Coldplay. Lead singer Chris Martin truly lets his listeners know how he feels about his partner. Not only is he in awe of her, he is willing to make certain sacrifices in order to see her happy. What Martin wants most is to see his partner happy. I think that is a truly admirable quality in a person.
Lastly, I chose a song that exemplifies a friendship within love. "Lucky" by Jason Maraz and Colbie Caillat is a simple song. They literally tell each other that they are lucky to be in love with their best friends. They have a love that is steady and true. They can depend on each other to be there when they get home.
I do agree with the article about the quest for a soul mate. Marriage isn't just some magical ceremony in which we find our other half. We have to find our best friends, someone we can depend on completely. We must be able to trust each other and be totally honest with one another. Relationships take a lot of work and are not always perfect. In fact, they rarely are. We have to be patient and work at these things.

The Changing Face of Marriage

I have experienced the "domestic church" in a relatively normal way. I have grown up with my older sister and younger brother. The three of us have been raised in the Catholic church by my loving parents. My parents have been role models of good, honest people and I truly admire them for that. We live a fairly traditional lifestyle and we try to appreciate all that we have.
The changing face of marriage could affect our nation in both positive and negative ways. In the positive aspect, same sex marriages or interracial couples may become the norm. This opens up doors for many families and protects them from unnecessary prejudice. However, the changing face of marriage also means accepting the high rate of divorce in the country. Families are supposed to be held together by two loving, committed parents. Having such a high rate creates unstable home lives for children and emotional issues.

I definitely agree with the statement that having college degrees makes for a more successful relationship. When both members of a relationship are educated, they can make better choices and more practical decisions for each other. They can clearly see what their future may hold. This statement only makes me want to attend college more! I want to make good decisions for my family in the future so that I can provide a stable, loving home for my family.

Dating: What's the point?

Dating in modern day society is definitely not "practice for divorce". I think that this claim is inaccurate. How could someone expect a teenager to date one person and stay with that person for the rest of his or her life? Dating when you are a teenager is all about finding out what you really want in a person. You might discover the qualities that make a good partner and even learn about yourself. I am not encouraging dating an insane amount of people, but having a few different relationships may be beneficial.
The "hook-up" culture in colleges has become extremely common over the past few years. Young adults are just looking to find a quick sexual encounter. Most times, people who "hook-up" are not searching for long-lasting relationships.  However, the "hook-up culture"is not a safe or healthy way to from long-lasting relationships. You are exposing yourself and giving yourself to complete strangers. People should learn to respect their bodies more and not constantly give themselves away.