Let There Be Hope

I've noticed a lot of cynicism around me lately.

Rachel and I got married two weeks ago and are still very much enjoying married life.

However, the cynicism I've become aware of isn't between us, but on behalf of those acknowledging our happiness. The cynicism is typically accompanied by such encouraging gems as:

'Let's see if you're this happy in forty years'

'You'll soon learn what married life is all about'

Now, I'm a realist and fully accept that our newlywed euphoria is a current thing, and in years to come there will be challenges to our life and love for each other. And I am not naive enough to believe that these will not be diffcult and testing times.

However, my request to those who have given us such advice so far, and may do in the coming weeks is this- please, please offer us hope.

If you want to give us advice on marriage, make it practical advice like our friend Tad who suggests that arguments are done on the sofa with a cup of tea.

But please don't reflect negative ideas on us just because the British culture does not like to celebrate good things, nor believe they can last when good things do emerge.

Let's believe that love can last in a world that sees it as a seasonal, disposable thing.

Let's offer hope, not cynicism to those just starting out on the journey.

Let us newlyweds rekindle what it was like for you all those years ago and let us remind you all of that you once hoped for, and still can.

Let there be hope.