Loved reading this piece! I too enjoyed my wedding day and thought I met my soul mate at 24. Life happens and people grow apart. I particularly like your statement that marriage is the solid structure that demonstrated our commitment to "making it work for the long-term" I think the operative word is to make it work. Both have to work at keeping the relationship alive. It becomes tiresome and pointless if only one person is doing all the work, then the "individualism" comes into play. If I am alone and unhappy in this institution then I'd rather make a choice and be alone and happy out of it. I gave it 19 years, stayed way past its expiration.