Good Old-Fashioned Dating Before Your Commit

Some of my most treasured moments have been the conversations I’ve had with folks from my grandparents’ generation. I especially like to ask elderly couples what their secret is to a long-lasting marriage, or relationship.

Their answers always put a smile on my face. Usually they would say that they slowly got to know each other, to see if they had the same values and decide if they were compatible.

Sadly, much has changed over the years. These days people no longer seem willing to put in the work and commitment it takes to build a strong foundation for a healthy, enduring relationship. Instead, we rush into romantic connections without thinking and seldom questioning the other person or their motives.

We’re desperate to love. And because we’re so desperate, we find ourselves falling for people who we realize aren’t worthy of our love ~ Paul Hudson

What starts off as adventure, fun and excitement, often turns sour once we begin to realize that he or she isn’t who they say they are or has ulterior motives. We no longer ask the important questions about their goals, what they really want, and if they have the ability to treat our heart with care.

In the future, my hope is that we will somehow come to our senses and begin to adopt a more levelheaded, spiritual approach to romance, dating, love and marriage. I pray for a new day when we will slow things down and take one step at a time, the way our grandparents did, before we rush to explore sex with a new love interest, or simply commit to someone after only a month of knowing them.

We can learn much from our grandparents’ generation. Their marriages often lasted a lifetime for good reason. Next time you begin dating someone, tell them you want to take things slowly. If they have a problem with that, then they aren’t meant to be with you. Know your worth, don’t settle for less, and fall in love with yourself first! Once you have that, loneliness, toxic people and a broken heart will never be an issue again.