Love, No Matter What

During a prolonged hospitalization decades ago, a psychiatric nurse had asked me, "what is the secret of your marriage?" "I have seen many marriages fall apart because of mental illness" she had said, "it is as if the the wedding vows say until mental illness do us part." After much thought, I had responded, "perhaps it is love and commitment." This year, as I look forward to celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversary, I am grateful that my husband Ram and I have traversed through the trials and tribulations of life, together, with love and commitment.

Last year, I read a heartwarming article published in the Huffington Post by Megan Griffo, and wanted to share with you all today.

"Almost a year ago, Mark Lukach went on a TEDx stage in Monterey, Calif., and told an audience that his wife, Giulia, once contemplated jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.

In that talk (below), Lukach describes what it is like to love a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He also addresses a question he says many used to ask him: Why did he stay with Giulia?

"First off... I love my wife, I love her a lot," Lukach says in the video. "The second reason I stuck around is because of this commitment to the idea of commitment itself." Watch the full TEDx below to hear Lukach explain how love and commitment helped his family in the darkest of times."