How about hearing from a woman?
I think there were times in my life where I was strong and other times where I was weak. As I get older, I am getting more comfortable in my strong skin. I agree with Seahawk to a certain extent. A woman is strong when she learns to be strong. Through her upbringing and her experiences. But what is your definition of strong? I think this differs for different people. Some people may define a strong woman as one who stays in horrible marriage and "prevails" by being strong for her kids. But is that strong? Others would define the strong woman as the one who leaves her spouse in that same situation. Facing the unknown for the good of herself and the kids. Everybody has their own definition. And each woman in the example is strong in her own right.
And there is different kinds of strong. I see women putting up with a lot more from their spouses than I would. They are definitely stronger than me. But then they say they would never be "strong" enough to go out there alone and support themselves financially, like I do. Just as beauty, strong lies in the eye of the beholder.
As far as the marriage thing, I agree with Baz to a certain extent. Everybody wants love. Some people really suck at finding the right person for them. And I agree that it says something about your friend. Not that he is a bad person or that this marriage or any other marriage of his won't last. He just needs to figure out the common denominator in the last several marriages and try a differrent way. Which is what he is doing. Can't fault for somebody for wanting to find true love. I have to admire his unrelenting faith in love. That's pretty strong to face possible heartbreak for the fifth time in hopes in finding his true love. Is he stronger than the other man who won't lay his heart out there in fear of breaking it again? Again, eye of the beholder. I know some men who would rather stay alone just because they fear of gettting hurt again. Are they cowardly or are they strong? To each their own.
All I can say is that I support anything that makes a person happy. Even if it is a short time and doesn't hurt other people in the process. If your friend and his to be bride are happy, why contemplate the time of their happiness? I think people forget to enjoy the moment. Life happens in a blink of an eye. Don't spend it worrying about when that happiness is going to be taken away. He is willing to lay his heart on the table again and doesn't seem swayed by the complexities of divorce, so let him have the chance for the real thing. If they don't have the support of the ones they love, how can you say that you didn't have a role in the possible demise of their relationship? Kind of calling the kettle black, you know? Embrace, celebrate, be happy for your friend.