The institution of marriage is often idealized and therefore often criticized. A cynic might say "Show me one truly happy married couple," but a reasonable response is "Show me one truly happy single person." Neither responsibility nor freedom guarantee "happily ever after," but marriage does more than provide shelter for our young or tax advantages. At its best it creates a safe haven where, with the gift of time given by the ideal of lifelong commitment, people can fully reveal themselves and reach ever-deepening bonds of intimacy. No longer just individuals, they become part of something stronger -- a couple, a family, and a community. From the Introduction by Author/Photographer, Mary Motley Kalergis
