Well, since dating doesn't apply to me, I'm skipping that section.
Now for a few marriage tips....
1. Wedding day
Although you may refer to it as "our wedding day", it is actually her wedding day. You just "get" to be there. I have heard women talk about "their wedding" in reference to themselves. Guys there is nothing about this day that is remotley yours. Even getting tanked at the reception is not allowed. Even though you have slept with her for 2 years before you got married, somehow its special that she has sex on her wedding night.
Nah. It wasn't "my day", let alone "ours". We were too busy dealing with his sister and her son, and trying to get home at a decent hour since we both had to be at work the next day. See, we didn't have a big fancy wedding. Hell, we got married a week after he asked me to. We were going to go to the courthouse in Fayetteville (where he was stationed at the time; I was 45 minutes away in Goldsboro) so that some of his buddies could be our witnesses. Then he decided he wanted to go to Jacksonville so that his sister and best friend could be there. His best friend screwed us over so we didn't make it there in time. So his sister and her son tagged along with us down to SC, where we were married at the Dillon Wedding Chapel - we found out after the fact that that's where his parents were married! :shock: No reception for us. One day, we'll have a renewal ceremony and reception so all of our friends and family can be with us, though.
2. Living together
This usually happens before marriage nowadays, and I think its a good thing. You can find out some nasty habits before you get hitched, so you either have time to adapt, or get out.
Not applicable to us....hell, we didn't live together for the first year of our marriage because he was deployed 2 1/2 weeks after we got married.
Now, I recommend keeping a low level of managable hair because you are not going to have free reign of the bathroom anymore. Her personal maintenance time is more important than yours. I think this is the problem why Hollywood marriages don't last. The meterosexual men in hollywood probably get mad when they don't have enough time to redo their frosted tips.
Hint: Get a house with more than one bathroom.
I don't take a long time in the bathroom. I rarely wear makeup, and it only takes a couple of minutes to straighten my hair and brush my teeth. I prefer to relax with a hot bath at night, and that doesn't interrupt anyone 'cause hubby works nights.
Laundry-don't assume that women know how to work a washer or dryer these days. I recommend you check the lint trap in the dryer, since women do not seem to realize it exists. Also, if you have a shirt, pair of pants, or pair of comfortable underware that she doesn't like, expect it to disappear.
The only laundry my husband does is his work uniforms. I don't allow him to touch my laundry, because one time he was trying to help out by doing a load, didn't pay attention to what he was doing, and ruined a $20 pair of stockings from Frederick's of Hollywood.
And the lint trap? Yup, he's the one that doesn't know where that is. I'm even the one that takes off the guard and cleans out the lint that's underneath the trap, too.
Dishes-you have got a pair of hands the same as her, and since most people are using dishwashers now, it is your responsibility since it involves electronics.
We choose not to use our dishwasher. I wash the dishes the majority of the time, though he does pitch in every now and then when I've got other things to tend to. I also do most of the cooking.
Lawn Mowing/Snow Shoveling ( where applicable )- You kidding me, this is a mans job. We have always done it, and will continue to live up to the stereotype. Piece of advice- You are not allowed to stereotype her into doing dishes or laundry. Those are shared burdens. Lawn mowing, snow shoveling are not.
Not applicable to us, but if it needed to be done, I'd do it if I could. I've used a lawn mower before, I've used a weedeater, and I shoveled snow when I lived in MN. He's rarely even seen snow, seeing as how he's lived his whole life in NC, minus training at Ft Leonard Wood and Ft Benning, and his two stints in Iraq. :lol:
Silence is bad, the less she says the more trouble you are in. Don't try to make jokes, it only makes the situation worse.
This is true. But I keep my mouth shut because if I didn't, I'd say something I'd end up regretting. It's better that way.