Still Crazy After The First Five Years

Bawdy movie actress Mae West is credited with the quote, “Marriage is a great institution, but I’m not ready for an institution yet.” Several years ago before I was married I was asked to write an article for my college alumni newsletter. I chose the topic of being unmarried and in my thirties. I started the whole piece off with West’s quote.

On face value, the quote seems like a sarcastic swipe at marriage. And maybe, the ol’ gal meant it that way. Maybe, though, it can be taken another way. In today’s world logic gets twisted by our government, our media and everyone else, so, please allow me to do the same.

While Mae’s quip is cute and a good attention-grabber, I think there may be some truth to her snide remark. Really, let me explain.

Mae ties marriage and an institution together and implies that getting married leads one into a place where you get better. Straight up, political correctness aside, Mae is saying in order to get married you first have to be crazy. And really you have to be.

You have to be crazy over the one you are marrying.

The logic continues from here. If one is crazy, one needs to be in an institution. When you are placed in such an institution, people often say you are being committed to that institution. And really, commitment in a marriage is a very good thing.

You have to be committed to the one you are marrying and the promises you make with one another.

And of course, once you are in an institution, the hope is you get better.

Of course if you are crazy about your spouse and committed to your spouse, then life truly is better than it was before marriage.

On March 6, Jennifer and I celebrate our first five years together in that institution known as marriage.

Jennifer, I’m still crazy about you, I’m still committed to you and our promises and life is better now than at any other time in my life thanks to you. Thanks for being institutionalized with me!