Tip: 
I heard an interview with Amy Bergin (www.couponizer.com).  Lots of ideas on couponing and saving money.  Check it out!

Relationships take work.  Most people don’t realize just how much effort is involved.  Often times the challenge comes from choosing poorly in the first place.  After almost ten years of marriage I have the following suggestions when choosing someone to spend your life with.

1. Choose who has a similar faith system AND practices it with a similar fervency.  A mismatch here could cause an endless stream of conflict for years to come. 
2. Choose someone who has similar values and ideas on how one should live life.  This is similar to the first point but extends into politics, handling money, honesty and integrity.
3. Choose someone who has the similar ideas on children and raising them.  This includes number of children, spacing, and how they will be disciplined.
4. Visit the in-laws.  Assess how the parents interact.  From this you can get a rough feel for how you will interact in your marriage to their son or daughter.  This is not an absolute, but does provide a general idea about what your relationship may be like.
5. Choose someone who looks and dresses the way you like.  People, if you don’t want your spouse to be overweight.  Don’t marry someone who is overweight and hope they will change.  They may, but you can never count on it.  If this is important to you in the long run then don’t take the plunge with them.

   Same goes for the way the person dresses.  Guys, don’t assume they’ll all of a sudden begin to dress like a model if they don’t before you get married.  Also, find out how they dress when they are not out with you.  If it bothers you that they wear pajamas all day, then think twice.  Ladies, if the guy runs around the house in boxers and it bothers you… Think twice!  Make the call before you get married.  It could save you a lot of heartache later.

6. Similar interests.  You don’t need to have identical interests, however, you need to have enough similarities so that you’re not always wanting to do things in which the other person doesn’t want to participate.
7. Finally, the perspective on trying new things.  Again, if there is an extreme difference for this you may experience significant conflict.  Example, if one of you likes to try new things all of the time, whether it’s moving, traveling, new foods, meeting new people while the other is a complete homebody, doesn’t like change at all and hates anything other than hamburgers and hot dogs… You may be in for a long ride.

Bottom line, put some thought into what type of person you want to be married to for the long haul.  Don’t let feelings overtake you and assume that everything will change or work out for the best.  Don’t let it happen to you.  Remember, you have a choice.

Btw, I’m not a licensed professional.  It’s your decision whether or not you should follow any of my advice.  In fact, I recommend seeking out a professional, in this case a great pre-marriage counselor.  I’d rather you break up now than be facing divorce or a terrible marriage later.