My husband just came home with roses and a card. I've been having an off week, but he's been having an off month.

His back injury has had a major flare up and he's been in a great deal of pain for over a month. He's been depressed because he thought yet again he'd hear "I'm sorry, but until it gets worse there's really nothing we can do but manage with pain meds." Unfortunately the silver lining to his cloud is his back is worse so he can have proceedures done to try postpone his pain (Dr. told us years ago this would be a lifelong battle).

We lost a beloved pet yesterday, but although my son purchased the pet and we all loved her, she chose my husband to be her human. I know he's greatly feeling her loss and the grief of our children. He dug her grave and buried her even though he can barely stand.

I share this with you now because I gave up on this man years ago. The petty problems we had at the time (hindsight is 20/20) that seemed so major and impossible to fix are now so insignificant. I gave up on him and our marriage completely. If it was not for his dedication and an accident of fate we would not be together now.

So if you're here because you absolutely think your marriage is over or in trouble, take a look at your spouse. Beyond those things that make you crazy and irritate you to the point you want to strangle him, and look at his character.

Money, jobs, and flirtations will come and go, the honeymoon stages come and go. But a person with good moral character -- that's worth fighting for.