We spend our youth separating from our parents to become independent. The very process we call maturation is one of splitting off. Adolescent rebellion, so bothersome to everyone but adolescents, is a natural development. Getting a child 'to stand on his own two feet' is the goal of every parent. Reversing this process so that a youth recants one's separate identity to merge with another is as remarkable as getting water to stop flowing together.
Successful marriage requires overcoming normal selfishness.
The 'other' replaces the 'self' as focal point. There is another issue. We do the best we can with our children to prepare them for this, the second most important step of life. But we know how difficult this process is and know the Master of the Universe must lend a hand for it to work. This is my prayer for my children.