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My husband loves modern art so when we were making a list of things to do over spring break of course he added going to The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s not that the boys and I don’t like modern art, I’m just not sure I get it. Most of the time I just just look, laugh, shake my head, and make jokes with the kids.
For example when I saw this giant ball and chain hanging from the ceiling I obviously made my husband stand by it so I could take a picture. Then when I show people the picture I can say,”Hey look at the ball and chain.”  (I think I am so funny.)
The hilariousness of my marriage jokes doesn’t stop with modern art. Any time that Meghan Trainor song ,”Dear Future Husband”, plays on the radio my boys know I will make some jokes about what my next husband will be like. (My boys insist that I am not  as funny as I think I am.)
Maybe all my joking is why I felt so called to repentance when I read this quote from President Dallin H. Oaks, “The weakening of the concept that marriages are permanent and precious has far-reaching consequences. Influenced by their own parents’ divorce or by popular notions that marriage is a ball and chain that prevents personality fulfillment, some young people shun marriage.” I totally felt the prick.  Ouch!
The truth is I believe in marriage. I believe in the benefits both at the personal and at the societal level. I believe in staying and fighting and working and growing.
 I also believe that small and simple things do cause great things to happen. Perhaps in small ways through my bad jokes about marriage, I am planting tiny seeds of doubt and fear that could grow to weaken the very institution that I believe in.

It’s time I do better. It’s time that I share how much strength and comfort my marriage has provided. How I feel like being married has helped me grow and develop in ways I am not sure would have happened on my own. It’s time that I share that Joe is amazing and that he is my favorite…most of the time.

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