Response #17

Hi Jon! Hope all is going well for you. Thanks for sending this invitation. Here are a few things we thought of. Not our finest work, but maybe there's a gem in there for someone. Hope it helps!

#1:

-Marry your best friend. In the end, the person you marry should be your best friend - someone you are comfortable around, someone you can open up to emotionally, someone who has similar interests and dreams in life, someone you can share your joys and sorrows with, and someone you can be your total self around. Start seeing the single people around you in that light and you'll recognize you may already know that person... or you'll at least be engaging in worthwhile, meaningful relationships.

-Do things. Be involved. Sitting at home waiting for a 'better offer' to come along is pointless. While you think you're waiting for the hotshot to finally smarten up and come around, you're turning off the person who actually is inviting you to things. And the hotshots never change...

#2:

-Maybe this is obvious but anyway... See the person you're dating in daily situations, and how they react and/or their attitude toward day-to-day small activities. What may seem mundane and unimportant tasks are actually the things most important after marriage. How do they handle themselves (as well as treat you) when stressed about work? Do they do their own dishes when they're finished eating? How do they spend a day without work or other obligations? Don't think the person you're dating will change once you're married.

-Meet the family! Marrying someone really is marrying an entire family. If you don't get along before marriage, you certainly won't get along after.

-Talk! Make dates less about the awesome activity or expensive play, and more about setting a mood for a good conversation. You can never know too much about someone you're contemplating marrying.

Good luck and we hope it goes well for you.