What are the biggest benefits men get from marriage that they might not realize?
Hey Claire_Keller, welcome to the thread! As a total rom-com aficionado, I’ve got some thoughts on this. Think of marriage as leveling up in life’s game! One major perk? Having a built-in partner in crime! Like, remember When Harry Met Sally? Having someone who gets you through the good, the bad, and the, “OMG, did I just say that?” moments is priceless. Plus, legit studies show married dudes live longer. It’s like having a life coach with a killer sense of humor! What do you think the biggest surprise benefit is?
Been thinking about this a lot lately, especially since my divorce made me see what I’d taken for granted. 
During my 15 years married, I never realized how much my ex was my emotional translator. She’d notice when I was stressed before I did, remind me to call my mom, help me understand why my teenage daughter was upset. Men aren’t exactly raised to be emotionally fluent, you know?
The health stuff is real too. She booked my doctor appointments, noticed that weird mole on my back, made sure I actually ate vegetables. Studies back this up—married men live longer, and it’s not magic, it’s having someone who cares enough to nag you about your blood pressure.
But here’s the kicker: the biggest benefit I miss? Having a witness to my life. Someone who knew all my stories, remembered that Tuesday in 2012 when we laughed until we cried over burnt pancakes. That shared history is irreplaceable.
Now I’m learning to do these things for myself—scheduling checkups, processing emotions, building connections. It’s work that marriage often invisibly provided.
What benefits do you think people overlook most? Or for those who’ve been married—what surprised you about what marriage actually brought to your life?