Ever Evolving Relationships
"Most people are going to have two or three marriages or committed relationships in their adult life. Some of us will have them with the same person." - Esther Perel, LMFT
When I read this quote for the first time, I was astounded. I had never thought about the fact that we all end up with multiple marriages. Some involve marriage to a new person and others are a new marriage with the same person. It makes a lot of sense when I think about it even in regards to the man I married and who I was when I married him.
When we first met, we were young, starting our young-adult lives. He was a few years into his business and I was in my first year of grad school. I had no idea the amount of personal work I would do in my 4 years of graduate school and I know he had no idea he would have to do some of the work I was having to do on his own development. I was dating a spontaneous, enthusiastic, life of the party, go-getter, not interested in therapy talk. He was dating a country-lived girl, completely clueless to big city living, hard-working student, and employee.
Fast-forward 4 years, I was getting married to a still spontaneous, enthusiastic, life of the party, go-getter AS WELL AS open-minded to therapy, and dedicated partner. He was marrying a master’s graduate, more mindful of city living, a woman beginning her career after 8 years of schooling. In that same year, my husband was now married to a stressed-out, overcommitted employee who didn't know boundaries and only had one day a week off.
Today, we are both married to different people. I'm married to a man who is now a father and has a deep love for his daughter that he was not sure he would ever have. He is married to a woman who found her dream and finally pursued it completely, a woman who is better at conflict resolution and has a stronger appreciation for her body.
Who are you married to today? Is it the same person you met when you first started dating or have they evolved?
Reflect on how you both have changed and how you want to change for the better in your relationship. Our relationships are meant to continuously evolve so be open to the journey.
Contributing Author: Rachel Elder is a couples therapist and relationship coach. She is passionate about helping individuals and couples build stronger relationships that can last a lifetime. Learn more about Rachel by going to racheleldercoaching.com