Sanctity. Of marriage and families.

Occasionally I check out various articles from entertainment, to random, to serious matters. Today I stumbled upon and article speaking on the redefinition of what Americans call family. Every time I see a title like this about 50 red flags go off in my head. Articles on family and marriage grab my attention despite knowing that I will probably be upset by the time I finish reading it.
So, what is a family to me? Well, I believe that a family can only be formed between the bond of a man and a woman through marriage. Call me old fashioned but divorce and anything outside of the marriage between one man and one woman is completely wrong in my book. Don't get me wrong here, I have family members who have been divorced and I love them just the same. It just saddens me to see the idea of marriage dematerialize before the faces of everyone across the world. It was once such a sacred thing and now, what is it, 50% of marriages are ending in divorce. Two who are married "cant work things out" or one has cheated or whatever the case may be and they feel like there is nothing to do and quit. Again, you might call me old fashioned but I believe everyone has someone they are destined to be with for the rest of their lives. However, I think that not everyone finds that person because they rush into a relationship with someone. Follow me here, we see people who on the outside look and feel compatible with us, then we marry and suddenly they're not to similar anymore. What has happened here? In my opinion it's because we see someone we like and don't take the time to really invest and see if it's real and end up getting married to the wrong person. It is so important to really investigate to see if this is who we are really meant to be with, if it takes years it's worth it to not get divorced and destroy the sacredness of marriage and the family. Not to mention children's lives are being torn apart through their parents "issues". Why do they have to suffer for foolish mistakes?
The breakdown of the family isn't the fault of marriage but the individuals themselves. The breakdown doesn't just come from divorce, people. It's also from the "lets move in together" couples, the how about we don't get married couples. Well, what kind of cop out is that? If you're not willing to dedicate to that person in marriage there is obviously an issue there. Its commitment. People are scared of whats in store for them and will jump off board any time it gets rough. It's sad, really. The fact that people are seeing this as normal scares me. I'm not the extreme conservative person you may be thinking I am but there are certain things I believe in strongly and the sanctity of marriage and a family is one of those things.
I see myself getting married. I see myself being married for life. Divorce is never an option. With this mindset I have placed standards into what I need and want into the man I will marry. This may include the making of a long list of things that are strict rules and regulations. For example, I would like my future spouse and I to both be on board with the no divorce policy, that I want kids, he must be a Christ follower, have a job, know what he wants out of life, etc. There are optional things like music, movies, etc. But to be married to the one we are supposed to be with requires knowing ourselves intensely and knowing that we cannot settle on those things we truly want and need in a spouse. People settle, standards fall, fights happen, divorce.
Saddle up folks, it's not going to be a cake walk, it may be one of the hardest things you will endure. Marriage may be one of the most rewarding experiences in a persons life if we treat it like so. It starts with knowing who we are and what we want then seeing someone and getting to know them. You settle, you risk losing it all. There is no one to blame for the family breakdown but ourselves.
 So I urge you, please keep marriage sacred. Keep our families together. Keep ourselves sane.