"On the twentieth anniversary of my engagement I did a self-assessment, and I've come to a realization: My trepidation has saved me from failing at marriage, but it has also stopped me from being successful at it. Just because I fear matrimony doesn't mean my fears have to come true. I've decided to fight for the opportunity to love someone. This decision didn't come about because tying the knot is what I'm supposed to do, or because I'm lonely. (I am.) But I know now that the people who enjoy long, loving unions can't tell the future any better than couples whose relationships have failed. Like a wiser, older married man told me, "Marriage is a leap of faith. All of life is."



I've decided I will no longer look at marriage with fear but with hope. I can never plan to live happily ever after if I am too afraid to walk down the aisle."



- RM Johnson, author of Why Men Fear Marriage; excerpt from Essence Magazine article The Marrying Kind November 2009



ps. I like this a lot because I feel like it can be applied to many things in life, not just marriage. But, it really hits home for that too.