Dating

 

"OH MY GOSH!!!! MOM!!!! A BOY JUST ASKED ME TO HANG OUT!!!"

"Yay! What are you guys going to do?"

"Just hang out, you know? We'll probably watch a movie or something!"

"You can watch a movie with me, why is this any different?"

"Well, I like him, and him asking me to hang out is basically him asking me out."

"Huh, interesting. Back in my day..."

Dating. Why do we do it? Dating is the first step in developing a romantic relationship. Dating is the non-committal stage in this relationship where you and another are going out on dates (it should be done without acts like kissing or cuddling as that makes you way too attached within the early stages of getting to know someone and trying to decide if this is a person you would go steady with). In the dating stage, you get to know people, you aren't just going out with one person, and you are building trust.

Courting. This is the next step. The "trial". So, let's say you've been going on dates with Timmy every Saturday. You really like him, and you feel that you really know and trust him. The two of you then decide to go steady. This is courting. This is the commitment stage. If you want this stage to progress to the next (engagement), then here is how your behaviors should fall. You aren't seeing anyone other than Timmy. You know him more than you trust him. You trust him more than your commitment to him. You're committed to him more than you're attached to him. You're attached to him more than you enjoy holding hands, kissing, or cuddling with him. A good, healthy, and safe romantic relationship with someone involves two people who appreciate each other one billion times more than they appreciate the physicality of their relationship. There is trust. There is commitment. 

OH MY GOSH, I'M ENGAGED!!!!!! It all starts with a proposal. "Emma, if you marry me, I promise to keep you safe, provide for you and our future family, love you endlessly, and always make sure to put God first in our relationship." What a cute proposal. So, you say yes, now what? Well, you two begin to plan. How do we want our life to look when we are married? What parenting styles will we use? How do we divide housework? How financially stable will we be when we first start out?

Marriage. Looking past the white gowns, tuxedos, bridesmaid dresses, bouquets and boutonnieres, marriage is absolutely beautiful. It is two people, separate individuals, becoming one. Joining together as one unit. This is an ultimate commitment. When you get married, be sure that you have discussed what is most important to you, your values and morals, and what of that you wish to pass on to your children one day. Remember that marriage is a partnership. Both partners need to put in equal work to keep the bonds of their marriage intact. It is important to recognize how important and unique marriage is. Marriage is the proper setting to raise a family. Children with both a mom and a dad have unique privileges and abilities- such as being able to be raised through the view of a man and a woman, learning to communicate with and interact with males and females, and having two parents who love each other and reared their child using their God-given bodies and knowledge. Families raised within the bonds of marriage are sacred and protected.