MARRIAGE ISN’T JUST HOW WE WIN, IT IS WINNING ITSELF

News

I hope you won’t mind me sharing a personal message with you.

Last Saturday, my daughter’s wedding reception took place at a local village hall, with cricketers playing in the adjacent field. The scene was pleasant but unremarkable. Though such events are less frequent these days, there were some overwhelmingly positive aspects worth noting.

The couple were both in their early twenties, choosing to build their lives together rather than follow the national trend of treating marriage as a capstone later in life. And they weren’t alone. Among the many young friends who attended from across the country, there were a surprising number of couples, either already married or recently engaged.

The packed marriage service, heartfelt speeches, and numerous cheers of celebration throughout the day, recognised the unique status of the newlyweds as a brand-new family unit – the smallest but most significant form of government. Everyone was full of joy to be part of the event and committed to supporting this couple going forward.

It seems, at least in this social group, that marriage is indeed a trend. It is something they want to do because they see the happiness of those around them who are doing the same. All present recognised the new status of the happy couple formed that day. There was no talk of the cost of living or the impact on careers. These young people will face those challenges together, as couples, instead of alone.

Knowing what we know at C4M about the value of real marriage to individuals and society, it is evident that such an event isn’t just a step towards victory in the battle for marriage – it is victory itself. While it may feel like a struggle to get our voices heard on national family policy, we can play a crucial role in setting a marriage-friendly culture among our own children and those around us. In the end, that may turn out to be the most significant thing of all.