Carolyn Hax, of the syndicated newspaper column called, Tell Me About It, had one last week with the heading of, “Is marriage a business deal?”

Her column is questions and answers, but I never even got far enough to read the question. I was taken with the title.  And, the answer, actually, is “Yes, or at least in part it should be.”  Marriage needs to be treated with the same caution and respectfulness as a business deal.  I’m not talking about the conniving and trying to one-up the other.  I’m talking about a good business deal which leaves both parties feeling good about their interaction.  One that is a win-win.

What never makes sense is how we end up treating the one we care the most about in ways we would never treat others.  I know all the phrases that people use to excuse this: it’s the familiarity, or you shouldn’t have to stand on ceremony, etc.

But, you’d think, if you stop and think rationally, that we should reserve our very best, most loving and respectful behavior for those we love and respect the most.

Now that I’ve vented, I probably should go back and read what Hax was really talking about!