permanence
by rantywoman
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kayhymowitz/2011/06/27/why-do-people-want-to-get-married-anyway/
For all its disappoints, then, marriage still strikes most Americans as the best hope for creating permanent connections. The fact that it doesn’t work out that way for so many couples doesn’t change the longing people have to feel like they belong somewhere with someone. They suspect living together is not the same thing, and they’re right; cohabiters break up at a far higher rate than married couples.
thebitterbabe 
I did that fatal Facebook thing of looking at peers with beautiful babies looking all loved up with hubbies. Felt so alone. Ugh.
ps. to follow up from last night’s misery – went to visit my nephews and niece today. Ages six months to ten yrs. Absolutely exhausted after two hours of mayhem. Couldn’t wait to get home to my quiet, spinster-like, baby-free flat. Phew! 🙂
Nice!
It gets harder to feel that way when those nieces and nephews grow up and become friends with their parents. That one is really painful to digest …
Yes, it can be a roller coaster of emotions, although I’m “hardening” against my feelings of grief.
Not to doubt that this does happen quite a lot- but then also some parents of grown children never see them once the kids leave the house.