“Of all human institutions marriage is the only one which most depends upon slow development, upon patience, upon long reaches of times, upon magnanimous compromise, upon kindly habit.” (GK Chesterton, Early Notebooks)
An elderly couple recently drove me to the airport following an event in Chicago. I was very impressed by their mutual collaboration and understanding. the wife asked for her husband to guide her out of the city with plenty of notice before a turn or exit, and he humbly complied. The conversations were respectful and engaging, and they listened attentively without interruption. There was peace and joy in that car ride, fruit of a long life of “magnanimous compromise and kindly habit.” As we arrived at the terminal, before the husband left for his flight, they exchanged a kiss and warmly told each other, “I love you.” This was sincere love and I was deeply edified.
