Marriage is Weird

Greetings my dears!

Let’s talk about marriage. As an institution and a life path, marriage is wonderful.

Marriage, in it’s purest form, is the columniation of love and support, and is the shout-it-from-the-rooftops loud declaration to the government, and to the world, that you have decided that THIS one person is THE person you’re going to stick with the rest of your lives. It is the final stage of dating, and is a very real “leveling up” of your life, your future, and your taxes. Which is beautiful.

And honestly, you may find the one person you want to share tax returns with, after second or third (or n-th) time. That’s beautiful too.

Unfortunately, there are some very impure reasons that people may find themselves married. Reasons such as human trafficking, child and mail-order brides, and domestic abuse.

If you know someone who is affected by human trafficking, who is a child or mail-order spouse, or anyone facing domestic abuse; please help them.

If the individual is a child; call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline or your local Child Protective Services (CPS):

• Childhelp: National Child Abuse Hotline
  • (1-800) 4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
  • Serves all of the US and Canada
  • Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Crisis counselors and interpreters in over 170 languages.
• Child Protective Services (CPS)
  • To find your local CPS – CPS Phone List
    • For Washington state: DSHS: Child Administration
      • Daytime: Varies by area – Find Local Office
        • Spokane County:
          • Reception:  (509) 363-3550
          • Toll Free Reception:  1-800-557-9671
      • Nights & Weekends: (1-800) 562- 5624
      • WA toll-free Hotline: 1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276)
        • 24/7 hotline that will connect you directly to the appropriate local office.

If you know or suspect that someone is in danger, or currently part of, human trafficking; call the National Human Trafficking Hotline,  available anytime, any day. Call 1-888-373-7888

If someone you know is experiencing abuse of any kind; call the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)

Available at any time, on any day. If you don’t feel safe talking on the phone: they provide online chat.

Finally, calling 911 is a dependable and reliable option as well.