<p>I didn’t marry until age I was almost 28 and have been married 30 years. My older son is still single; however, younger son will marry a girl he met in college next January. They just graduated and have been accepted into grad school, but deferred for a year to work and decide if they really want to take on the extra debt, as career plans have changed within the past year. They will be 23 when they marry, and I really think it will last. Both come from families where the parents are still married to their first spouses, and both have a strong commitment to making it work, despite any problems that arise. And they are realistic enough to know that problems WILL arise, in one form or another.</p>
<p>I believe my son is quite mature for his age. We were talking about the idea of “soul mates” or “The One” recently, and he commented that he knew his fiance was “The One,” not because she was the only one meant for him in some mystical way, but because he made the commitment to her that she would be the one, and he would keep that commitment. He does have a strong faith, but doesn’t necessarily believe that God has just one spouse in mind for each of us. And I see a real maturity in their relationship, which does not seem to contain any jealousy and allows each person to have separate friends and interests, while at the same time cultivating common interests and good communication.</p>
<p>Age may be a factor in how well marriages survive, but it is far from the only, or even the main, factor.</p>