Marriage Preparation and Dating

Lets first define what a you need to have a successful date, here are the three P's to remember 1) Plan, 2) Paid for, 3) Paired off. It's important to note that the patterns we perpetuate through dating continue through our marriage relationships. As a college student I live with roommates and before that I lived with siblings. All of these experiences help prepare me and help me get a general idea of what I will be like as a spouse. One of the first things we look for in a potential partner is physical attractiveness and following that someone we are similar too. Intentional, thoughtful dating is the way to really get to know someone. Here are three crucial things you should do while dating, 1) Talk, mutual self disclosure 2) Time, anything less than three months you don't get to know someone 3) Togetherness, a variety of situations which approximate or parallel marital situations through shared activities. As your different relationships grow you will find there are different types of love. Agape which is unconditioned love, Eros which is the romantic type of love, Storge a parent child type of love, and Philia which is love between friends a brotherly love. Something interesting I learned in class was about R.A.M.,  the relationship attachment model. It is really interesting and worth looking in to. The last words of wisdom from my teacher were THINK TRUTH! Although it is not as romantic as following feelings seeking for the truth in a person is what will truly bring you happiness.