Not to get caught up in semantics ...perhaps I will first state the obvious, as the obvious is not exempt from the criticism of those who will debate that which is already understood by both, just for the sake of debate.

So, no ....marriage is not simply two people loving each other. 

A mom can love her child, a child can love their grandparent, and 'best friends' can love each other ...and in each case their is no claim of marriage, nor plans for it.  So, rather the reverse can be said also ...that two people loving each other does not in itself provide all we expect a marriage to be.

First of all, I believe that when people do get married, it's debatable whether it can be said that they love one another. 

I'd say they like each other a whole bunch ...but, they should be getting married because they are committing not to always like one another, but rather to commit to one another for their lifetime.

Yet, if one commits to love another for a lifetime, does that mean that he/or she will always be understanding and loving??

No, it does not!!

It means that each professes to not give up on the other.

If you felt you loved a person enough at one point in your life to marry them ...then it is not the marriage that is wrong, but the commitment to it. (And yes, I understand the exceptions ...with the list being rather long.  And I agree that there are certainly good reasons ...such as extensive abuse and violence.  Yet, there are bad reasons also.  That being said, this is not an intended discussion of past events ...we do move along in our lives, hopefully learning something along the way.  And we don't beat ourselves up over what we've learned.)

It's not that we should intentionally make things difficult for ourselves, though often we learn more about love when it is difficult.

My mind got to this point as I listened to our young adult children talk about how guys and gals are today ...which sort of means their generation, and honestly, I can't pick up on it all too well, so I can't even recall whether they refer to them as guys and gals.  And I don't want them by some miracle to stumble onto what I've written and at the same time be curious enough to read it ...coming up with the conclusion that I made them appear square, or whatever shape their generation is in, or would like to be in. (I just know I'm not in their circle.)

I do give them much credit though.  They understand and believe that whatever form of understanding of love that people have ...it comes from a commitment, one that we are never ever fully committed too.

But, God is ...

And that's why the most one can understand about love, is that God is love.

God sent His Son ...Jesus, prepared to die for us.

There is no way we can be more hurt by anyone ...than the degree of lack of love we've returned to Jesus.

And God has way more reason to give up on us, than we have to give up on one another ...but, he chose to love us unconditionally.

So, we can learn from this ...and the most love Jesus said is when one gives their live for another.  We should have respect and gratitude towards police officers, firemen, emergency and medical teams, and soldiers ...all who understand they may be giving their life and services for another.  The majority of them are worthy of their occupation and calling.  The exceptions who do not mean well ...are subject to answer to their very profession, and the people who seek proper avenues of the law.

But, in sacrificing your life for your country or community ...it can mean that you stand ready to die for others, or live for others.

Marriage is not to considered the type of sacrifice where you'd say, "My husband/wife will be the death of me yet!!"  It is supposed to be a living sacrifice ...a commitment. 

No, we should never expect our spouse to rise to the level of Jesus ...and have the wisdom, knowledge, patience, and love to the perfected degree that our Creator has for us.  More realistically, we should often expect the opposite from our spouse ...but, we should also expect a repentant attitude to return.  Each should be able to look to the One who achieves the good things in us, through Him ...and in realizing His love, it should give us direction and a re-evaluation of our own failed love, in view of His unfailing love for us.

Has my generation failed in communicating this to the next generation??  How can anyone look for love, without first seeking out God??

And when this isn't understood, it is not really love.  Some people can say, "You can have your love ...I just want to be happy!"  Okay, just as long as you understand they are not the same thing.  Not all definitions of love are eternal ...and unless you embrace the eternal love, your happiness will have an abrupt end.  More accurately, you will be very unhappy much longer than you were happy.

I guess that is why so many just refuse to face any notion of an afterlife.  And yes, even in my generation, people were living for the here and now.  I do remember hearing something about Woodstock ...as I was about to enter High School.  It's been said that if you don't remember (and learn from it) ...you are doomed to repeat it.  God does give us second chances, so to be a prophet of doom may be doomer than dumb.  But, that depends a great deal upon the proper definition of prophet, whether true or false, and what/or who we glorify. 

Glorify the Lord ...

And try to read the Bible ...to obtain some idea what that means.  The idea will not come to you through evolution, or revolution ...the only resolution is Jesus.

(http://likethemlegallyorlovethemcommittedly.blogspot.com/)