Jasmine's Place Issue No. 4 - March/April 2013 | Page 11

Foundation: A marriage needs to be based on the right foundation and that includes sharing a faith, sharing values and wanting common goals in life. You must start from the same base, otherwise once the excitement of the wedding is over and reality hits, you will have nothing to stand on. Identity: You must know who you are. Some people get married to feel complete, to tick a box, to hide an insecurity, to please someone else. Knowing who you are, especially in Christ, sets you up for success. You may be intending to marry a man whose personality differs from yours. That can be okay. But please make sure you agree on the fundamental issues of life. You may be able to resolve other differentials, but you may not have the same success with foundational differences. It allows you the opportunity to figure out at least in some part how your story fits in with that of the person you are about to marry. Sense of humour: Are you intending to marry a man who can laugh? Do you laugh easily? Being able to laugh at yourself, laugh with your partner and at your situation can lighten personal and marital stress. No need to take yourself too seriously. Life is too short for that. JASMINE'S PLACE 11 11