It's neither natural nor is it a gift from heaven. It's an entirely human-made social relationship that clearly is not for everyone. It has been created, thrived and survived because it has been adaptable in it's form to recognize things like joint property rights, the recognition of women as persons before the law, polygamy, same sex relationships (is that husband and wife really? You decide for yourself) and that there are circumstances where an orderly dissolution of the relationship is best for all parties involved.

Oh and there's something about love and getting along with one another that has some part in the whole equation too.

In my experience, with two exes, this is not always a "natural" pair.

You can't beat a better pair.

The way it was meant to be, man and woman, till death do us part. While my wife and I were going through wedding preparation, the priest broke out the "Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve" line that GTH brought up below. I agree with the statement fully, but when such a serious guy uses a line like that out of the blue, it's hard to keep from laughing.

Christophino's roles at his  wedding?

Anyone who is thinking of marriage should really consider what they're getting into. It is sacred, and should be taken seriously. Once the vows have been made, the couple becomes as one. And they should hold to that vow that they are going to be true to one another until death do they part. It means exactly what it is supposed to mean.

Absolutely, I am for it. This is history and the past and future of mankind.

I am for Adam and Eve and disparage Adam and Steve.

I'd like to think that,but what would I know if I was never married, nor was I in love with anyone. Marriage, or husband and wife suppose to make a undeniable symbol of true love and togetherness, is it so though?

Hey, what would you call that variation on this theme that some are trying to make legal?

Since Adam and Eve...this is the best natural pair!

I wish it was even more natural, but the divorce rate suggests this takes lots of effort in the long term.

I can give this a 5 with this in mind; I have seen love between two at its best. I have seen much more of it fail or not be great or even good. Like the old addage says "you are lucky in life to find real love even once". I believe that very strongly, and as drummond lent to, I do not believe monogamy is a "natural state". My romantic side hopes and prays for real and true love to exist every day. I love my wife but it is work, every day. Our good days are worth every day I wait and hope. My love for my children is undeniable and unwaivering.

I rated this 3. I'm not sure marriage is a product of nature, and thus maybe it's not a natural pair. It may very well be, like civilization in general, a rebellion against nature. In any case, I've been married for 11 years now. Seems like a lot of work to be chalked up to nature.

I can only speak for my own experience, since divorce rates in this country clearly show that this isn't a sentiment shared by all. My husband and I do go together well, regardless of marital status; Having a state-issued piece of paper stating that well be sharing the same last name didnt suddenly make our relationship more profound, we've had the same strong relationship that we've had since we got together. It brings about a sense of comfort, to know that I can look in his eyes and we both laugh, knowing what the other is thinking. Spending time alone for us means with each other, not each of us being by ourselves. And its been this way for about six years.

When good fortune intervenes, as with Fred and Ethel, this 'pair' can be the 'best' in 'Nature'.