The Honeymoon is Over (Welcome to AP Lang)

My neighbors across the street are splitting up.  It really doesn't matter what the cause is - none of my business, really, and like most divorces, there is rarely a single reason.  But I mention this because they just recently bought the house, lived there together for about six months, got married last October, and this past Saturday, she moved out all of her things.

They hadn't even been married a year.

I know they had planned a honeymoon - probably to some exotic location like so many newlyweds do these days - but I don't think they ever got to take the trip.  Their marriage didn't even last through the official honeymoon period, the first year.

I wonder if like many couples, the idea of marriage was more appealing than the reality.  It is understandable.  When issues arise, each partner resorts to how they saw their parents deal with confrontation or disagreement, and often the two styles are unsuitable for a satisfactory resolution.  One person gives in, or one person gives the silent treatment, or one person yells - however it plays out, I'm pretty sure that at least one party isn't satisfied with the outcome. 

And the resentment builds.  Maybe it dissipates for awhile during a smooth period, but if at the next rough patch, the same behavior occurs, nothing lasting gets resolved.

I'm feeling like the first big blowup in AP Lang is about to happen.  The relationship between the students and the rigors of AP Language and Composition is about to be tested.  The commitment previous LA classes required, compared to the work AP Lang needs, is like the difference between an elementary school crush and the first college boyfriend who is invited home to the family Christmas party - it is huge!

Students who think AP Language and Composition is nothing more than a junior high fling are going to be heartbroken.  This is a class that requires thoughtful interaction, attention to every assignment, a desire to become a better reader and writer - it requires a long term commitment.  A serious, long term commitment.

When the honeymoon is over, it doesn't have to mean the marriage is in trouble.  It just means both parties involved are going to find ways to work through the difficulties, find different and better ways to communicate, and make a commitment everyday to bring the best each has to offer.