A Pre-Marriage Checklist

We've already talked about the royal wedding, and a few questions you should ask yourself before getting engaged. But we're just getting started. Before making the massive commitment of saying "I Do," consider your responses to the following checklist:

1. Am I prepared to fully play the role of husband or wife? Being someone's spouse is different than being a boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiance. Even if you've been together for years, marriage brings new responsibilities and new challenges to the relationship that you must be prepared to face.
2. Am I ready to take on the financial responsibility? Be completely open about your current financial situation with your partner, and thoroughly discuss your plans for the financial future. It is essential that you're both on the same page when it comes to handling the financial challenges that will come your way.
3. Do I want children? Does my future spouse? As with finances, it's vital that you and your fiance are in agreement when it comes to starting a family. Do you both want children? At what age do you want to have them? How do you plan to raise them? Settle as many issues surrounding children as possible before having them, so that no unpleasant surprises appear after you have a family to care for.
4. Are our future goals in alignment? If one of you wants to dedicate their life to fighting poverty in Africa and the other enjoys living the high life in big cities, a life-long relationship is probably doomed to failure. Talk in depth about what you both want to achieve in life, and make sure that your goals are complementary.
5. What makes this person The One? "Love" is powerful, but it should not be your sole answer to this question. Why, out of every relationship you've been in, is this the relationship you'd like to commit to being in for the rest of your life? Make sure you're marrying for the right reasons, not because you're caving to societal pressure or the wishes of someone else.

Before walking down the aisle, commit to being a mature, loving, and dedicated spouse, who is up to the task of facing whatever challenges marriage brings. Make sure that your fiance is prepared to make the same commitment. And promise each other that, whatever comes your way, you are ready to grow together, to evolve into better people and stronger partners over your lifetime together.