The United States of America has a high rate of divorces; obviously something has to be done to help couples stay united for the longest time and live happy for many years to come. Have you asked yourselves if you are aware of what is involved in a marriage that lasts? Well Ladies and Gentlemen, single students of Skyline College, I been married for 24 years and this article I dedicate to all of you!

If you are having thoughts of getting married and want to know a little bit of what it would be like in general and how to reduce some of the stressed-out-life as a couple, please pay close attention to your choices and to whom you are dating. Some of the basics areas in my opinion which you should think about are: Ambition, Compatibility and, Commitment. It takes at least these three aspects to have a long lasting and enduring marriage.

AMBITION Have both of you been aware of what you want out of marriage? There must be a driving force of what you want to be or what you want to have someday, so start discovering, what makes you two continue staying together while dating. Is it your long term goals or your next weekend-night-out? Hopefully, you both are already discussing long term plans for a successful career path. Education here at the Skyline College will be part of your successful career and marriage if you choose.

COMPATIBILITY When the two of you get together whether it is a sport, project or marriage; there must be a sense of common goal! Marriage is about compatibility between the two of you. I encourage learning more in depth about the person whom you are already dating. Find out if both of you have something in common so there are fewer surprising arguments in the future. Those arguments could turn a little detail into a big mold causing decay of the relationship.

COMMITMENT Something in a long term relationship has to be the driving force, and the reason to stay in a marriage. At the beginning love brought you two together. Staying together in a marriage for the long run, is about accepting changes and adjusting together for the sake of the family. The difficulties that a couple faces, breaks them apart or holds them together. Challenges of life living together are many. Keeping focused what your long term goals are; you will eventually succeed. So, find out between both of you, the mutual level of acceptance of Ambition, Compatibility and, most important the level of commitment you both have between you before you pop the question