The Changing Face of Marriage

When I was growing up, the "domestic church" played a role in my life, but it was not completely like everyone else's. I always went to during on holidays and during Advent and Lent, but my family and I never went to church on a daily basis.  Despite not attending church daily, my parents were still loving and the most amazing parents that I could ask for. I have always had a strong faith in God because of going to Catholic school since kindergarten and recieving the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliaton, Communion and Confirmation.  I also think that the changing structure of marriage and family is unique to each couple.  I do not think that it is a bad thing for people to have children and not be married as long as they are in a committed, loving and stable relationship.  When it comes to marriage,  I can see why a college degree may help the relationship, but I also think that that statistic could be misleading.  I think that people get divorced becuase they have tried everything, and they feel their relationship is not working for them.  A college degree of course has its benefits for both people, but I do not think that it directly relates to rates of divorce.  For me, I one day hope to a establish a "domestic church" for my own family.  While I do not want to force Catholicism on my kids, I want it to be there as an option and as something that will help them to develop their morals and thinking.

Dating and hooking-up

I do not agree with the claim that dating is essentially practice for divorce.  I think that dating is a necessary part of learning about relationships.  While there are a lot of people who are dating and and not looking for anything serious, there are also a lot of serious relationships and marriages that stem from dating.  I think that those who are 'anti-daters' exaggerate the harm that dating can do.  Compared to dating, hooking-up is much different.  In hooking-up, I think that most people are mainly looking to get with the person only once or twice.  I think that hooking-up is not meant to lead to any type of real or serious relationship.   I think that hooking-up usually cannot lead to real relationships because the two people are only sexually attraced to each other. Also, a lot of the time it causes one person begins to feel attached, with the other person moving on without any feelings. 

Love Story Reflection

My Mommon and Poppop's love story has positively influenced my perception of relationships.  From their story, I learned that you do not have to be looking for love to find it. You can meet the person of your dreams at any time or place. Because they have been married for 46 years, this proves that love can last as long as you want, as long you constantly treat your partner with love, respect and loyalty.  I can not think of a love story in a movie or book that is totally similar to my grandparents'.  I think that their relationship is completely real, which is sometimes hard to tell in movies because they sometimes seem too perfect.  Even though my Mommom and Poppop sometimes argue, they always resolve their problems and forgive one another.  I think that the media portrays love in a way in which if there is a ever a fight or agruement in a relationship, the couple is bound for a breakup. A song that illustrates my grandparent's love story is The Power of Love by Celine Dion.  In this song, Celine sings "Even though there may be times/ It seems I'm far away/ Never wonder where I am/ 'Cause I am always by your side." These lyrics relate my my Mommom and Poppop because even when their relationship is not perfect, at the end of the day, they will always fix their problems and be happy together.