Follow-up From Last Week We had discussed recently about the importance of couples not living together before marriage..The commitment is not set in stone and either party can bail out, even without notice, or one party may feel guiltless if she flirts with someone else, especially if there is no ring on the finger. They may decide to marry , the big wedding, the flowers, the dress, the reception, an official honeymoon, the courthouse papers, later down the road, if they feel they can put up with each other. Or maybe they are so infatuated that it is the right thing to do. A couple is not as likely to notice flaws, so they must be meant for each other and it must be meant to be. But even after they tie the knot, they go back to living as before, and there seems to be no real difference. However, when the glow wears off, you will eventually see the flaws that you may have not noticed before and perhaps wonder why you married the guy. Co-habitating is a life of convenience and fun, there is not much sacrifice involved and there's no knot tied. You can loosen it at any time, when the going gets rough. In marriage, you commit and there is plenty of speed bumps, some you may never have imagined before, and you may not know or want to work it through. Some couples think that if they have no arguments, then that is a sign of a good relationship that will last. Well, they are in for a surprise. We are all God's creatures but each of us are an individual person made according to God's image and likeness. That is why each of us are so unique. If we marry someone, we find that the other person is not the same as us. We may have different ways of dealing with issues or concern; we have different likes and dislikes. We like our Starbucks hot or cold, mocha or cappuccino, latte or soy. We may not agree on what road to drive today or which movie to see, so there may be an argument ensuing. These are lite matters, but what about big issues like religion or schooling, or where to live? Can we work out our differences and come to an agreement? What if we are tired and frustrated? A good marriage is filled with sacrifice between two parties. It takes two to make it work. Marriage is a work in progress. If you wait until marriage to live together and be intimate, there will be more effort on both parties to make it last, especially with the grace of God and prayer.Also, you have alot to look forward to and experience if you wait to get married. Marriage is worth fighting for, but in a cohabitating state, there isn't much holding you together. Let's follow the example of the Saints and our parents, as well as our parish priest, in our dating lives in pursuit of proper dating path towards marriage!