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Why Marriage Comes Before Parenting

All growing up, my husband's father told him (along with his siblings), "I love you, but I love your mom more."

It confused my husband at times as a kid. But he has watched for more than two and a half decades as his father has doted on his wife and prioritized her.

What a precedent that has set for my husband and the loving, respectful way he treats me. He prioritizes date night. He writes me notes. He buys me Sprite and soda crackers to help me keep something down after I've had food poisoning.

Now, let me explain EMPHATICALLY that parenthood is absolutely and totally divine and absolutely must be intentional.

And I must also express my love for those who are single, divorced, separated, or enduring less-than-ideal marital situations. I cannot pretend to imagine the weight on your shoulders and the heaviness of your hearts. I have to tell you that some of my very favorite people who are my greatest teachers and friends in life include MANY individuals who are single, divorced, separated, and enduring less-than-ideal marital situations.

BUT I must also express that the marriage relationship absolutely totally must take priority above all other relationships. Sister & Brother Marriott explain a lot better than I can, let me defer to them in this Mormon Channel Video:




Do I love my son? Absolutely. I'm crazy about him. I would do anything, give anything, for his welfare and well being.

But...I'm CRAZIER for Kevin. We plan to always be CRAZIEST about each other! 

(Our one exception? God comes first).

I know Heaven smiles on that. 

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