and wife may know the grace of god. it is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust they shall be united with one another in heart, body, and mind as christ is united with his bride, the church. the gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives. it's given as the foundation of family life in which children are born and nurtured and in which each member of the family in good times and in bad may find strength, companionship, and comfort, and grow to maturity in love. marriage is a way of life made