Today I celebrate 4 years of wedded bliss to Rose, of ARTIST4GOD, Fine Art America, and Artist4God on Zazzle.com fame.

Marriage is good. I can go on about the sacramental and sacrificial aspects of marriage, maybe even some of the theological elements of it. I can also go on forever about the romantic and emotional parts of marriage.

But there are better bloggers than I who can do all of that (except maybe the romantic and emotional stuff). I will just say one thing, and that one thing is in the context of this blog (that of recovery from alcoholism): Marriage can be a sign of success. I know it isn’t for everybody. For some, it is a huge mistake. But if you’ve struggled with alcoholism or some other addiction, you understand how difficult it might be to form normal relationships afterwards. But marriage means that you’ve successfully convinced someone else that you’re a good risk, and that they’ll go along with you for the ride (hopefully keeping in mind Catholic teaching on the indissolubility of marriage).

Bearing in mind that there are zillions of people who are not married and who would love to be, and seemingly half of them are friends of mine: this is not directed at you all. Seriously. There may be legitimate reasons why you’re not married, and none mean that you are a loser or are unloveable.

The right One hasn’t shown up yet. God hasn’t finished making you for the One yet. This is for all who believe that there is someone out there “made for them.” Well, creation and the formation of the person doesn’t end with birth, high school or college graduation, or getting that first job or buying a house. Or maybe, just maybe, you are not comfortable with who you are and so are not living truthfully (not being the real you). If that is the case then the One God Made for You will not recognize you as the One God Made for Them. Think about that. If you’re not living out the life and personality you’re supposed to be, how can you find the one you’re supposed to be with?

Or maybe the time isn’t right yet. But that may be just a restatement of the last paragraph.

I doubt my Rosie would have married me 5+ years ago. (I’m 49 so that “+” goes back 25-ish years.)

Whatever. Marriage is good, if you marry the right person.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)