I did not plan to join more than 2 billion other people in watching this morning's royal wedding between Kate Middleton and Prince William. But my wife talked me into getting up at 5:30 A.M. and turning on the television. I'm glad I did. I watched William's father and mother's marriage all those years ago and decided I should do the same today.

I thought it was very nice. I enjoyed the way they brought the live trees into Westminster Abbey. By itself the Abbey is a large dreary tomb full of the bones of Britain's heroes. On this spring morning it was a place to celebrate life. Marriage is a statement that life continues. It is a gift from God. When a man and a woman commit their love and faithfulness before their family and community they are affirming life's most enduring promise.

As Heritage Foundation senior research fellow Chuck Donovan writes:

The simplicity of this truth accounts for the nearly universal history and expression of marriage across cultures. Despite the enormity of the pressures marriage and family face today, the vast majority of people in American society express the desire to marry, experience a lifelong faithful relationship, have children, and raise those children into adulthood where they are able to establish families of their own.

Sadly, in both Great Britain and America marriage has fallen on hard times. In America this is enshrined in The Defense of Marriage Act–a noble effort to preserve this God-ordained institution. Yet, people still marry in abundance even if the path to the altar is less traditional than past times. Those who exchange their vows and promises desire one of life's most fundamental needs–happiness.

May William and Kate live happily and have healthy children. On this, their wedding day, many people are cheering them on and wishing them well.