"It's just a piece of paper." That's the answer we sometimes hear from people when talking about marriage. Usually these people already live together or have children to each other and when asked when or if they are going to get married, they reply with that answer. They don't really see a reason to get married when they already live together or have kids, practically married.

Well I have to disagree. Technically, yes, it is a piece of paper but it holds so much more meaning then that. It is no surprise that in this day and age that dating is completely awful. We suck at it as a generation. Picking someone up at the door and meeting their parents has turned into a text saying I am outside. Things are not the way they use to be. So there is no surprise that marriage isn't really looked at in a serious light as much anymore. When couples take the plunge they need to know that they are not just signing a paper that says they can now legally file their taxes jointly. It's way more than that.

Marriage is a lifetime commitment and shouldn't be taken lightly. It's promising to God and to everyone present at the wedding/ceremony that two people plan to become one. That these two people love and cherish each other so much that they wish to become one in the eye's of God. That no matter what life throws at them they plan to stick it out together as a couple. "Through sickness and in health, to have and to hold til death do us part."

I am not saying that people who end up not getting married don't have strong long lasting relationships by any means. Personally, I believe that making that sort of commitment to someone is special and something that should be honored. Anyone can live together and have children but it takes two truly in love people to say the vows and make the promise to each other to have and to hold for the rest of their lives. But by marrying the one that you lovem you are showing God and everyone in attendance that you wish to be together forever. That no matter what you will stick together through the good and bad times. But yet, sadly the divorce rates in the U.S. are still as high as ever.

So I hope that when ever this generation plans on marrying, that they take the decision seriously. That it isn't "just a piece of paper," it isn't when you don't feel like being with them anymore you just pack your stuff up and leave. It's a lifelong commitment to someone and to God that you will always be there for them no matter the circumstances. It's going into another room to cool down during an argument and coming back to talk it out as adults when you are thinking more clearly. It's saying no to the temptations of other people. It's taking care of your husband or wife during their final moments and never leaving when things get tough.

It's so much more than just a piece of paper.