Let's Start with a Scripture

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning  ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and  the two shall become one flesh’ ? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6).

 

Congrats on your decision to marry.  Before you say I DO, learn of your mate. Men there is a lot to learn of the woman who holds your heart... Come to know her heart well enough to love her through the good times and the times that challenge you! Brother if you fall... fall towards Christ. Women expect a man in your life. Do not expect to raise him, expect him to be grown, respecful, and a leader. Learn of his imperfections. Know that you do not need to raise a boy. If you fall... fall towards Christ.

Saying I LOVE YOU has more meaning than just sex...  know the difference...

 

      I - am a part of your life- inspired, intimate, supportive and vunerable

 

      L - isten to my language of Love 
      O - wn your happiness - share your love 
      V - alue each other's opinion
      E - stablish trust and confidence in each other
 
     Y - earn for each other's tender touch 
     O - bserve my fault and see my heart
     U - nderstand we are growing together

 

Ensure our Lord is the anchor of your union

Seek marriage counseling

 

Sometimes parental advice is not available to guide you or examples are not available. Know for yourself and make godly choices to avoid unforseen consequences.

 

At a minimun consider these areas in detail for your union. 

Communication
Finances
Role Relationship
Intimacy
Parenting
Spiritual Maturity

 

Lastly my beleoved to the women - I urge you to expect a MAN in your life. If you have to 'raise' the man in your life. Consider and comtemplate that you do not become this MAN's mother be a Wife.

To the Men, Stand in your relationship as a MAN, leave those things that are childish and unworthy to you and your family. Love and honor your wife and expect a help-mate to life.