[lsj0627]

You nailed it: there is power in that mutual gesture - it creates a bond that pushes both parties to work through challenges instead of just noping out with a break up. There's a reason they call it "tying the knot".

Source: A 40-year old who has no interest in marriage and only saw it as an "antiquated social construct" when I was younger. I learned there's more to it.