
According to this week’s episode of Black Love, the answer is a big, fat, hell no.
Related: The Return of ‘Black Love’ and the Power of Allowing a Man to Lead
Love takes time and hard work. BlackLove.com contributor Briana Barner reflects on her marriage, and how the couples on the latest episode of Black Love prove there’s no way around it.
According to this week’s episode of Black Love, the answer is a big, fat, hell no.
Related: The Return of ‘Black Love’ and the Power of Allowing a Man to Lead
“Sorry to break it to you, but no one’s love story is perfect.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsa5-u4lkjN/
As we are introduced to the couples, we see how long they have been married: a range of 4-31 years. But what are the stories within those years? Most importantly, what did the work look like to get to the point of engagement and then marriage? For Egypt and Mike, that work looked like unpacking baggage from previous relationships. That baggage – which included healing for Egypt and developing a healthier co-parenting relationship for Mike – almost destroyed their relationship. A mere few weeks before they were supposed to get married, the couple called off their first wedding. They took time to prepare for their marriage, and not just the wedding, and were better off for it. But they both made sure to emphasize the work involved in crafting a healthy relationship and preparing for a solid marriage.
“The beginning of your happy ending might look completely different than what you expected, and it’s important to remember that that is more than okay.”
Mike said the work was worth it because he knew his partner was worth it. Love is an important part of a relationship, but I would say that the work to sustain it matters more. Being in a relationship requires much work, effort and is a choice that we have to make and commit to every day. These couples have been together for many years, and each of those years is a testament to the investment they made into their relationships. But with this episode, we got to see the not-so-pretty parts of that work. This episode is a must-see for anyone in a relationship, but especially those who are seeking to be partnered.
Related: ‘Black Love’ Series Cast Member LeToya Luckett Talks Marriage, Prayer and Therapy
We often celebrate marriage as an ultimate goal, but these real love stories reveal the ugly, sometimes hurtful process of preparing for that goal. The beginning of your happy ending might look completely different than what you expected, and it’s important to remember that that is more than okay.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION