This article was originally published on www.nurturingmarriage.org. It has been republished here, with permission.

When I married, I didn't realize my wedding day bliss would turn into the hardest, most challenging experience of my life. Don't get me wrong. I have a beautiful marriage - a deeply fulfilling, satisfyingly wonderful, fairy tale marriage. But my fairy tale hasn't been free from struggle, worry, discouragement and frustration. Simply put, it's been hard. And you know what? I think "hard" is exactly how fairy tale love is meant to be.

I didn't know marriage wouldn't be a perfectly concocted "happily ever after." You know what I'm talking about - the kind of life where Prince Charming waits on his beloved hand and foot, constantly telling her how incredible and beautiful she is. Okay, so maybe I really wasn't expecting that kind of happily ever after. I had glimpsed reality in the marriages of those around me, and my expectations (in my eyes) were realistic, but I didn't know marriage would be this hard.

I didn't realize that I would be asked to give so much of myself - that I would be asked (or rather forced) to give away so much of my selfish, proud, know-it-all self. I didn't know marriage would be this hard.

I didn't know that the personal price to be paid for a lasting marriage was so high - that it would require me to be vulnerable, humble and, at times, embarrassed. Embarrassed at who I am when I say things I don't mean, of the harsh person I can be when I put up my defenses. I didn't know marriage would make me search inside myself - really search - and look my weaknesses in the eyes. I didn't know marriage would be this hard.

I didn't know marriage would require me to apologize so often - and for the same things week after week. I didn't know marriage would squeeze my heart until it hurts as it gives me the chance to forgive again, and again, and again. I didn't know marriage would be this hard.

Yes, marriage is hard - in a heart wrenching, soul-stretching kind of way.

Marriage is my happily ever after, and it's my reality. I chose it, and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Know why? Because it's changing me.

Slowly but surely, marriage is making me better. It's showing me a higher way. It's creating a more meaningful life for me. It's helping me progress and improve in ways I could never accomplish on my own. Marriage gives me the chance to reshape, remold and readjust my heart to make room for a deeper, more sacred, more selfless love.

And you know what? I'm happier than I've ever been. I didn't know marriage would be this hard, and I'm glad it is - because I'm quickly learning that "hard" is the secret ingredient in happily ever after.