Trust. What does it mean to you? Redefining love...

I was thinking about the meaning of the word trust and how to explain it with an example. So, I thought of a marriage as the example to illustrate the meaning of the word trust as I understand it.

I think that the relationship between husband and wife illustrates my understanding of trust, because, trust is one of the foundation key stones in a marriage. Many will argue that love is the foundation key stone in a marriage, but love is a fairy tail. Fairy tales are the creation of imagination. Marriage is a reality of life with responsibilities and a mortgage to pay every month. For the context of this argument, lets rethink love and I say that one of the ingredients of love is trust.

Lets establish the environment in which I will state my example. Picture a marriage with christian values. I'm specifically thinking of the principle where the husband is the head of the family, and the wife is subject and submissive to the husband. Now, picture the couple making arrangements for a picnic or other family activity. They are making plans to pickup the kids after school on Friday. Mom is going to go by the store and gather some snacks, food and fruit for Saturday's picnic. Dad is going to take care of the car, check the engine, tires, and brakes. So he entrusts she that food will be ready for Saturday's event after planning is complete. Trust. Lets analyze the situation. How is trust manifested here? By he entrusting she with the food, including those juicy mangoes he loves so much.

On Saturday's picnic the family is having a good time playing and enjoying the outdoors. As they get ready to have a snack, mom gets the mangoes and hands one to dad, she smiles slightly and makes a subtle gesture before they both laugh. How is trust manifested here? Well, it was manifested earlier on the way to the park as she recalled that she left the fruit seasoning in the kitchen. He likes to put some seasoning on his mangoes, but he won't have seasoning today. So, trust was manifested by she telling he, she forgot it the fruit seasoning. Why is this a manifestation of trust? Because, he trusts she will take care of her responsibilities as well as he trusts she will tell him bad news, so the situation can be addressed.

Trust manifest itself in many ways in a marriage (relationship). One of those manifestations is, another key stone of marriage, communication. Trust will help communication flow openly in a marriage. As stated above, trust through communication will help both partners address any situation that may arise, either good or bad. Aside from the previous example, on which other situations can trust be a main actor? For example, a dent in the car's door that happened at the supermarket yesterday, the raising of kids, and any other mundane activity that is an integral part of marriage and responsibilities.

On the other hand, is there an activity that he enjoys but she goes along, because he likes it? Does he know she does not like it? Have they had the conversation:

He: You ready? We are going to the lake with my family. It's going to be fun.

She: Mhh?

He: Do not forget the kite.

She: Ok, let me get the kine.

He: Because you want to go, right?

She (Situation A): Yes, lets go.

She (Situation B): I'll go with you because you like it at the lake.

So, how does situation B sound like? Rude or trustworthy? Well, yes it depends on the tone of the voice, body language and facial expressions. But, my point is, it sounds trustworthy to me. I hope it does to you, too.

Lets not forget that two of the many ingredients of love is trust, and communication.