This is the Time

Yesterday I experienced two moments, with two different couples, where I marveled at their devotion to each other, to their family, and to the promise they either made or were about to make about living their lives together. My marriage didn't work out that way. In fact, I would go as far as to say it didn't even really start out that way, not to lay blame on anyone in particular, but just by way of noting that this is something I want in my next marriage, and I understand that to have it, I'll also have to bring it. And I feel capable of that now -- I didn't, for a number of reasons, the last time around.

On the car ride home from Milwaukee to Madison today, I heard this Billy Joel classic, which pretty much nails the sentiment I'm talking about here:

We walked on the beach beside that old hotel
They're tearing it down now
But it's just as well
I haven't shown you everything a man can do
So stay with me baby
I've got plans for you

This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
And now I need the rest of you

Did you know that before you came into my life
It was some kind of miracle that I survived
Some day we will both look back
And have to laugh
We lived through a lifetime
And the aftermath

This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
I know we've got to move somehow
But I don't want to lose you now

I feel confident that I'm going to know when I have the kind of love, desire to prioritize family, and live life together this time around. And I'm not going to settle for anything less...