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A Letter To My Daughter About The Reality Of Marriage

by Jillian Benfield
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Jillian Benfield's daughter to whom her mother left a letter about the reality of marriage in black ...
Jillian Benfield

Dear Daughter,

When we talk about marriage, we use phrases like “happily ever after.” But life isn’t always happy. There are plenty of moments characterized by sunshine and still, clear waters. And daughter, as your mother, I wish these times would follow you all of your days. But the truth is, is that no one leaves this earth without having to cross turbulent seas.

When dating, if considering marriage, I hope you choose someone who makes your happy times even more so, but I also hope you’ll think about who you can suffer with.

I hope you find someone who would do anything for you and you, in turn, for them. I hope you find someone who will put you above himself and you for them. Find the one who will fight to see your dreams come true and, in turn, you for them.

And if you find this person, dear daughter, they will love you so much, that they will hurt to see you hurt. And there, you will find comfort in the midst of hard.

Dear daughter, I wish life would be more like the fairytales we read at night, but since it is not, my hope for you is this: that you find someone who loves you so completely, who you love equally as much, so that when bad times come, you can hold each other together when it feels as if everything else is falling apart.

All My Love,

Mom

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