When I was in primary school, the few kids whose parents were divorced were known to us all. They struck us as kind of weird, and it was riveting to watch them from a safe distance. When Marko, my No. 1 son, was in primary school three decades later, it was exactly the opposite. As I learned from him at the time, the few kids whose parents were not yet divorced were known to all the others. And they struck them as kind of weird, too. In a single generation, things got turned upside down.

Now, my parents were aware of divorce as such, but they had never contemplated it as an option in their own lives. In retrospect, it was inconceivable to either of them. Every problem encountered over sixty-five years together was tackled by them both. And in earnest. Which is why it was eventually resolved to their mutual satisfaction. Things have changed in just a few generations, though. And how. Officially, I got married and divorced twice. Parents of both of my erstwhile wives were also divorced well before we got together. By now, worldwide divorce statistics are no less than mindboggling.

I am not complaining, it goes without saying. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. In my book, the best part of marriage is divorce. And no kidding. In my own experience, the joy of breaking up is hard to match. Ah, the bliss! Whence my challenge to the merry couple. Hey, Marko and Lucie, my No. 1 son’s second wife, prove me wrong! If you can, show me that I have no idea about marriage as it has come to pass. None whatsoever. And laugh at my challenge with gusto whenever you remember it in the years to come. Hey, what do you know about marriage, or anything else that matters, silly old man? We are sure to show you the right way to go in the fullness of time!