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Quote by Paula McLain

“Not everyone believed in marriage then. To marry was to say you believed in the future and in the past, too - that history and tradition and hope could stay knit together to hold you up.”

Quote by Paula McLain

Work

The Paris Wife

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Author

Paula McLain
Paula McLain

Paula McLain is an American author known for her poignant emotional descriptions and profound character portrayals. Her works often focus on female characters, exploring their lives, love, and growth. Born in 1965, McLain has worked as a teacher and editor before becoming a writer. Her works, including 'When Breath Becomes Air' and 'Love in the Time of Cholera', delve into the lives of women, examining their experiences, relationships, and personal growth. more

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“The mature response, however, is not to leave; it's to change -- ourselves. Whenever marital dissatisfaction rears its head in my marriage -- as it does in virtually every marriage -- I simply check my focus. The times that I am happiest and most fulfilled in my marriage are the times when I am intent on drawing meaning and fulfillment from becoming a better husband rather than from demanding a "better" wife. If you're a Christian, the reality is that, biblically speaking, you can't swap your spouse for someone else. But you can change yourself. And that change can bring the fulfillment that you mistakenly believe is found only by changing partners. In one sense, it's comical: Yes, we need a changed partner, but the partner that needs to change is not our spouse, it's us! I don't know why this works. I don't know how you can be unsatisfied maritally, and then offer yourself to God to bring about change in your life and suddenly find yourself more satisfied with the same spouse. I don't why this works, only that it does work. It takes time, and by time I mean maybe years. But if your heart is driven by the desire to draw near to Jesus, you find joy by becoming like Jesus. You'll never find joy by doing something that offends Jesus -- such as instigating a divorce or an affair.”

“Relationships be it dating or marriage, can be viewed as the needle and thread. You cannot sew a fabric with just the needle or the thread. You will need both to get started. It takes patience to thread the needle. The more you learn the technique, the better you will get at it in the future. The same applies to your relationship. Be patient with each other.”

“Your mother was a hero. She developed a spell for gnomeatic fever. And she was the youngest headmaster in Watford history.” Baz is looking at Penny like they’ve never met. “And,” Penny goes on, “she defended your father in three duels before he accepted her proposal.” “That sounds barbaric,” I say. “It was traditional,” Baz says. “It was brilliant,” Penny says. “I’ve read the minutes.” “Where?” Baz asks her. “We have them in our library at home,” she says “My dad loves marriage rites. Any sort of family magic, actually. He and my mother are bound together in five dimensions.”