With Or Without A Significant Other

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

—1 John 3:1

Our culture is weirdly obsessed with romance and couples and being part of a matched set. Some of the people I love most are single—either because they haven’t yet found their person, or because their marriage has ended. I’ve reached that age when I hear more divorce announcements than wedding bells. Sometimes I wonder if there would be fewer divorce announcements if we weren’t so hung up on marriage as a status symbol or accomplishment.

I love being married to Aaron. He’s my person, and every day I’m thankful for the life we’re making together. But being married doesn’t mean my life is any more significant than the lives of my single friends. It breaks my heart when they feel like they’re less or half or waiting around for their real lives to start. That’s garbage.

Some of the worst people I know are married, and some of the best people I know are single. I don’t know how it happens. But it’s not about the fundamental value of the person in question. Your value is not riding on a cultural obsession with romance and tulle and diamonds.

You are significant with or without a significant other.