An Unlikely Pair: Part 2

I can't get this duet out of my head; it's just so brilliant. The idea of two people coming together and creating something so entirely different - it's like an amazing chemical reaction from chemistry lab. Two highly flammable, highly unstable elements come together to become, say, water. Something life-sustaining.

Marriages are often unlikely pairs as well, aren't they? Two people come together, attracted by opposite qualities (usually) to form a union where the sum of both individuals creates a strong team. But somewhere along the line, those qualities we admired in our spouses (because they were qualities we ourselves lacked) become annoyances, and we begin to focus on the differences and the weaknesses. The bond begins to break down and we go back to being highly-flammable, highly-unstable elements. The duet is over.

This is where understanding music theory comes into play. One of my favourite musical elements is counterpoint, playing a second melody in conjunction with the first melody. This second melody must fit within the chord progression and key signature, but it dances in, around, above and below the first melody to create a weaving of music that is, well, beautiful. Stunning. Beyond words, at times. And, unlike harmony, where the additional notes are subsidiary to the main melody, with counterpoint both melodies carry equal weight and must be able to stand alone, though they create something infinitely more beautiful by playing alongside one another).

If we think of our marriages like beautiful pieces of counterpoint, two melodies dancing in and around one another within parameters, I think we'd do better in understanding the role each of us plays in marriage, and ultimately, life. We might better appreciate those differences instead of begrudge them, for it is those very differences which make the piece of music so beautiful.