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A loaf of sourdough, a misplaced Princess Bride quote, and a very real question: if marriage isn’t about survival anymore, what makes it worth choosing? We pull on that thread and follow it through a century of norms and numbers, from the 1920s peak to the long decline since the 1970s—and the cultural shifts that explain it. Along the way, we weigh what changes when you marry in your 20s versus your 40s, how women’s financial independence reframed commitment, and why cohabitation and common law feel like marriage without the vows.

We get practical and a little personal. Dating with intention means saying the quiet parts out loud—kids or no kids, timeline to engagement, views on money, fidelity, and living arrangements. We talk about the power dynamics of moving into someone else’s house, why some of us would elope instead of hosting a spectacle, and how to spot the difference between a rough patch and a pattern. Effort is the heartbeat of a lasting bond, but effort needs direction: agree on what partnership looks like day to day, not just on the wedding day. And yes, the “ick” is real, but so are ebbs and flows; good relationships survive storms because both people keep showing up.

There’s space here for hope, even after grief, betrayal, and canceled weddings. Choosing marriage now is less about necessity and more about alignment, equity, and shared meaning. If you’re navigating the shrinking dating pool, balancing kids and careers, or wondering whether rates will rebound as values shift back toward tradition, this conversation is for you. Listen, reflect, and tell us: what’s your non-negotiable for saying yes to forever? If you enjoyed this, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find us.

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