Last night she accepted his proposal. They started dating a few years ago. A drink here, a movie there. They eventually moved on to mini-golf and walks on the beach. A few months ago she introduced him to the family and they accepted him. They started going steady. They made out. Finally he popped the question and she said yes.

The wedding date and venue has been set. A nice little bed and breakfast in Washington in January. The honeymoon will be in a hot dry place - probably Iraq or Afghanistan. Eventually, after a few months of living together, the afterglow will fade and they will come to realize that when the other takes a shit their poop stinks too. And when they chew dinner they make weird sounds. Close your mouth when you chew for friggin' sake!

Hopefully they will get over these petty differences and remember what made them fall in love. The dreams, the ideas, the hope.

Even though he popped the question it does not mean the work will fall solely on his shoulders. She is going to have to go to work too. Times are tough and they will need both incomes. She will have to spend some lonely nights while he is away on business. She will have to let him hang out with his friends once in a while. She will have to work just as hard at this marriage as he will. She will have to learn to forgive him when he makes mistakes. She will have to understand that she is an equal in this deal. She will have as much to say about their fate as he.

He will have to be patient with her. Moving out of her parent's house into a place of their own is scary and takes some time to adjust. There will be legitimate fears. Fear of the unknown, fear that this man will not be who she thought he was, fear of being scared.

Hopefully, after a few years, they will settle down together. Hit their stride. That annoying chewing or funny habit becomes something endearing rather than annoying. They will learn to encourage each others' strengths and shore up each others' weaknesses. And maybe, just maybe, if all goes well they will renew their vows. They will want to keep at it. They will want to make it work.

America, thank you. It is amazing how in one evening you have changed how the World perceives you. Don't stop now. It is just beginning.