7 Must Do’s While You’re Dating

1. Get Raw Details Early On
It can take some time to find your soul mate. This could mean many dates with multiple people over a few years. My advice… Don’t waste your time. Ask the important questions within the first 3 dates. Religion, kids, where you want to live, dreams, career, politics, etc. If you can get this section right, everything else will be clockwork.

2. Be More Modest Than You Think You Should Be
If you marry this person, you’ll have a lifetime of nakedness, flirting, mooning, and maybe some inappropriate flashing. But don’t give up all of this fun while you’re dating. You might call me prude, but I think it’s just smart. Keep your first few years of marriage awesome. And naked.

3.В Be Exactly Who You Are
Sure, wear your best, smell like flowers and leather, but be yourself. Don’t sell a better, more organized, more thoughtful, more skanky, more wealthy version of yourself. Just be who you are. I promise it’s enough and if your partner is captivated by the real you, there is nothing better.

4. Go Somewhere Awesome With a Married Couple
Around date number 10, plan a trip or daycation with a marriedВ couple (without kids). Watch their mannerisms and the way they talk to each other. Ask them about their dating life and what they would have done differently. There is no better way to understand marriage than seeing it with your own eyes.

5. WriteВ Them a Future Spouse Letter
If this person is possibly “the one,” write them a future spouse letter. Tell them how you feel (now), what you’re excited about and what you hope life will look like in 10 years. And if you do tie the knot, give it to them on your honeymoon. Even if the facts change, the thought will make their brain explode.

6. Take Your Time, But Don’t Be An Idiot
Everything you need to learn in order to make the “can I marry this person” decision occurs within one year. Sure, you will not know everything about them, but you’ll know enough. My wife and I dated for one year before we were married. I have learned a lot about her since, but nothing that was so critical it would have changed my decision of marrying her. Date a year. Not four. Don’t make excuses. People have been dating and marrying in less than a year for thousands of years. And remember, one third of the world is still made of arranged marriages (and they have lower divorce rates). Step up to the plate, you can do this. 

7. Prepare to Mourn Your Singleness (Important)
Anytime there is loss there is a need for mourning. The primary symptom of PTSD is caused from people who lost something and did not grieve it. This is why the minds of soldiers who have left war zones still act like they’re on the battlefield. This is also the reason why people who are no longer single still act like they are. Their minds have not mourned the loss. After you’re married, you’ve lost the ability to show intimate affection to others. You’ve lost the ability to only care about yourself. You’ve lost the ability to flirt. Marriage is a great thing, but there is loss involved. Mourn the loss of your singleness. It will only strengthen your future marriage.