Davidzhu

My 42-year-old cousin has been single for a long time. Recently, a relative introduced him to a potential partner. The woman is 40 years old, her husband passed away in a car accident, and she has been raising a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter on her own, living a tough life. The two hit it off immediately on their first meeting, seemingly meant to be. However, the conditions she proposed have left my cousin deep in thought. She hopes my cousin will treat her two children as his own, not plan to have more kids after marriage, and pay a dowry of 188,000 yuan. These conditions don't seem too harsh, but for my cousin, they're a heavy burden. If he pays the 188,000 yuan dowry, he'll be left with little savings. He'll also have to take care of the two kids' education and living expenses, and even their future wedding expenses. What if in his old age, his partner and the kids don't appreciate him, and he's left with nothing? My cousin's concerns aren't unreasonable. Many people yearn to find their soulmate, but the pressure of reality makes them hesitant. Dowry, housing, cars, kids' education – these are all heavy burdens. My cousin's choice may seem selfish, but it's the genuine thoughts of many people. So, how can we find a solution that works for both parties? Perhaps the answer lies not in material sacrifices but in emotional investment. Mutual understanding and support – that's the true foundation of marriage. However, this also requires effort and understanding from both sides. My cousin's story tells us that marriage is not just a game of love, but also a real challenge.