Growing up in a dysfunctional family
I didn’t want to marry.
Ever.
While my dad never hit my mom
That I saw
He dominated her.
Controlled where she went
The money she spent
The meals she cooked.
They screamed obscenities
At each other
Daily
The anger rubbed off on me
Both parents calling me vile names
I cried.
I swore that I would never be trapped
In a hate-filled relationship
With any man
Thinking about marriage
Weighed me down
Sinking into the floor
My shoulders ached at the thought
Of a man not letting me
Be me
I dated some.
Saw nothing of interest
Not even a spark
Until I transferred to a different office
And a blue-eyed man
Smiled.
He didn’t talk much,
But he showed patience
Helping me learn
When he asked me out
My stomach flipped
Could this be?
I yearned for his touch,
A sweet kiss
He didn’t disappoint.
My vision of the future
Changed to include his
Warmth
When he proposed, I rejoiced.
Before I would have run,
But not this time
Marriage is a weight,
But not always one of
Pain.
He taught me to bear love,
To cherish times together,
To rejoice.
Many years later
I gladly carry marriage
And will until death.
The burden is worth it.