I often joke around with my friends that marriage is an unrealistic proposition: tethering your life — emotionally and financially — to someone else’s from the moment you breathe “I do” to the last breath you ever take. It’s a noble proposition. And for those who do it successfully, I applaud the commitment. But for many, the conventions of marriage don’t work. So how do we reinvent this age-old institution?
A friend of mine recently confessed that she and her husband always say, they will stay married “for as long as its good.” I like the honesty, and frankly, I buy in.
Her statement got me thinking: What if we put marriage on a 10 year plan. You don’t “buy” your spouse — you lease them with an option to renew at the end of every term…
Here’s how it works: you download the app (because it’s 2019 and all great ideas begin that way), and then — like a prenup — you agree to your terms before the vow exchange. Then you place your marriage on autopilot until the 10-year mark.
For those married in their early 20’s, 10 years later, one might be ready to have kids and the other might be having a gender crisis. Time’s up.
Or for empty nesters? Now that kids are out, one might want to join a golf club, while the other joins the Peace Corps — easy solve — Um… peace out! (sorry, I had to)
Anyway, you get the idea.
It’s nothing personal. People change.
Simply have the conversation and “uncheck” the autorenew feature on your marriage app, take a 50% cut of everything, and go your separate ways.
For those who choose to renew — even better! Have a party to celebrate 10 years and plan exciting things for the decade ahead…
I started this post as a joke… but now I am only half-kidding. Could this work? Am I on to something here?