I was married a year ago to the love of my life. We dated for three years before getting married and were well rehearsed in communication, backgrounds, future goals, strengths/weaknesses, likes/dislikes, etc. I have friends who were married after dating for three years but feel like they married a complete stranger. How is this possible when they dated for the same amount of time as my husband and I?
I believe it’s because they didn’t take the time to establish a foundation familiar to each other. I believe that engaged couples should be required to take a marriage prep (marriage counseling) course before getting a marriage license. We have to take a course before getting a driver’s license or a food handler's permit, so why don’t we require a course to prepare us for the most important decision of our lives?
Current estimates suggest that 40-50 percent of recent marriages will end in separation or divorce. Almost all marriages that end in divorce are required to try counseling before getting the stamp of approval from the judge.
Pre-marriage counseling should be required, especially in the community we live in. It is only going to strengthen a couple’s understanding of what is ahead and provide an opportunity to establish a foundation to build off of for the years to come.
Cambria Hauck
Washington City