[Marie]

This is a very good topic.

Dr. Phil gave a statistic that said 75% of marriages where the couple are under the age of 25 when they marry fail, while only 25% of marriages where the couple are over the age of 25 when they marry fail. Now, he didn't give his source or any of the supporting evidence, so I can't vouch for the validity of this. However, this has stuck in my mind since I heard it. I wouldn't let this dictate my life in terms of whether or not I got married, but I do recognize that there is a lot of growing & changing that happens the first few years out of college. Maybe this has a greater affect on a relationship than someone who may be in their 30s and has a fairly stable life/career.

As for choosing a life partner, when I look at couples who have marriages that last 50-60 years, I don't think that they have the same kind of love that they may have had as newly weds. It definitely is more of a respect/companionship/appreciation for one another type of love, and they definitely have pushed through some rough years. While I would get married today for the "passionate, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, I can't live a day without you" sort of love, I don't expect to feel that exact same way 60 years down the road. However, I would be greatly looking forward to the "you're my best friend, look at all that we've been through, we've created children, grand children and great-grand children together" kind of love that exists later in life. I guess it just depends on the individual as to whether or not they'd be satisfied with eventually just companionship and respect as well as whether or not they are willing to weather the storm to make it to the golden years.