Real Life Romance: Because I Choose To

We got in a fight.
Both of us are under quite a bit of stress right now. It's a busy time of year. We'd finally found a few quiet moments to talk and snuggle. And instead of it becoming romantic, my stress exploded in hurtful words, chasing him from the room.
It hadn't been my intent. I am the first to admit I let my frustration get the best of me too often, and he gets the brunt of it more than he should.
When we finally went to bed that night, not necessarily having made up, but having come to an agreement to let it go so we could get some sleep, he whispered, "I love you."
"Why?" I couldn't help myself. The question just escaped. How could he still love me after all the stupid hurtful words that have been thrown at him over our marriage?
He was quiet a moment, and then replied, "Because I choose to."

Not the most romantic line, maybe, but in some ways it means more to me than the sappy sayings most expected. We both know we're not always going to have days when everything will go the way we meant it to. Our life is in the real world, and things happen. Sometimes, we like each other more than others, but we'll never give up, never leave, never quit fighting for our marriage. Because we CHOOSE to. Love isn't only a feeling. It's a choice. An action. It's something you do over and over and over again. Because it's worth it.

What about you? Do you choose to love, even in the rough times?