When I was a kid, there was a pretty clear image in my mind of finding a special lady, falling in love, having a Jodeci-style wedding and carrying her across the threshold. Many years and a few special ladies later, that grand vision of happy matrimony began to degrade. In fact, most times there seems to be very little to gain by getting married at all.
This is no doubt due to the rise in divorce statistics and the media’s fascination with displaying the absolute worse case outcomes of a failed marriage: vindictive spouses fighting tooth and nail to divvy up children, wealth and anything else the couple built together. Unfortunately the news about a famous couple renewing their vows or celebrating another year together doesn’t get as much traction as a vicious divorce trial. C’est la vie.
But there is a silver lining in the gloomy divorce cloud: those couples that take on marriage in spite of all the obvious reasons not to. Sometimes you have to look a little harder to find them, which is ultimately a good thing if you hope to go down that aisle eventually. It begins to prepare you for the work you’ll also need to do to make marriage work.
Thankfully we have the following couples as inspiration. These seven luminary marriages remind us that 50% of marriages do make it and maybe give us something to aspire to.
Will and Jada
When rumors of their break up spread through the airwaves I didn’t believe it for a second. Will Smith is probably the world’s most likable rapper-turned-actor and Jada has MILF written all over her. Their kids are seem to be so well-adjusted, despite being born into Hollywood elite and budding child-star careers. There’s no doubt that’s because Poppa Will and Momma Jada are so down to earth and not about the BS. No one but haters wants to see these two split. An all lovers want a marriage as close to this as possible.
Jay and Beyonce
She is insanely talented, beautiful and humble. His swagger defined a generation. The love these two share is routinely mentioned in rap and R&B lyrics–fitting since Jay and Beyonce are hip hop royalty. The couple dated a seven years before tying the not in 2008 and now have a baby on the way. Jay and Beyonce are notorious for keeping their relationship private. Definitely an example we can all learn from.
Denzel and Paulette
These two have been married since the early 80’s and while Denzel is one of the most acclaimed actors on the planet, he is so not Hollywood. Their family life is so wholesomely Christian you feel the need to wear a suit. In 1995, the couple renewed their wedding vows in South Africa.
Nick and Mariah
Ten years his senior, Mariah didn’t let age be anything more than a number when she became Mrs. Nick Cannon. No one seems to be having more fun in matrimony than these two and with a new set of twins, the first-time parents are certain to enjoy Halloween more than ever.
