"You are so lucky!"

Lucky? In reference to our marriage relationship- what does that have to do with 'luck'? This statement to me from a young women who was celebrating her 10th anniversary with her husband (a rocky, unstable relationhsip) caught me by surprise. Her comment came after I expressed my happiness with my spouse...she, obviously unhappy. Why?

Upon further conversation, she revelealed details of mutual infidelity, constant fighting, bitterness, lack of respect and much more. It was if I had opened a floodgate of pent-up, negative emotions within her regarding her spouse and her children. I felt compassion upon her and asked if either of them had considered counseling or taken steps to improve their relationship. Her response, "Neither one of us wants to be the first to back down."

Back down from what, exactly? Being miserable? Feeling trapped in a toxic marriage? What could be worse than what they were currently going through?