Jeffrey R. Holland reflects on his marriage to his wife, Patricia T. Holland.

               Jeffrey R. Holland and  Patricia T. Holland

My wife, Patricia, was her parents' little princess—they wanted the world for her. Then I came along. I had nothing to my name: no money, no education, no job, and no future to speak of. I was just a broke college student with many years of school still ahead of me, and I couldn't even offer her a car or a home.

But what an extraordinary woman she was. Instead of having high expectations, she married me and my poverty, full of faith. "One day it will all come," she'd tell me. And her parents were just as remarkable. They believed in me, too, saying, "He'll have it someday." That unconditional belief has made all the difference in our marriage.

I truly believe that if they had placed high demands on me, it would have crushed my spirit and ruined our relationship. I love her for letting me live with realistic expectations, which allowed me to grow into the person I was meant to be.