Married in their 30s. - I was 26 she was 25
Did not live together in a common-law relationship before wedding. We did not live together
Had children. 1st child due in November
Attended religious services. Yes
Were university educated. Yes, both of us.
Believed that marriage was important for happiness. Sure ( I don't think I've ever thought about it before).
My wife and I didn’t want to live together before marriage. While dating we did visit each other, therefore we had an idea how we lived. I knew she squeezes the toothpaste from the middle (I still have to fix the tube now and then), and she knows I leave the seat up (what can I say, I'm a guy). The important thing is we took the time to get to really know each other. End of story. When we were married there was some adjusting, but there was nothing I could have learned if I lived with her first.
Some people need to live together to “really” get to know each other, we didn’t. This was just a study, not the law. Every situation is different.
When we got married it was exciting to finally move in together. For us marriage was a life changing event rather than just getting a ring and having her change her last name (that how my brother felt, see below).
Living apart worked for us as we have been happily married 7 years this September. Living together worked for my bother and his wife. They lived together for 4 years before getting married and they are still happy on year 9 and have 2 girls.
Different strokes.....
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