Trying out the cow before you buy the milk....

[HOPE - Psalm 43:5]

A young man in the military met a young lady online. After a year of electronic and telephone communications, he proposed to her (even though they had never met in person).

Upon hearing of their engagement, their families and friends were in an uproar. They couldn't believe that the couple didn't date for a year or two before getting married. The family wanted to know why didn't they introduce one another to each his and her families? They wanted to know how much they knew about one another.

The young man's mother asked him, "why don't you just be engaged for a year and get to know one another to see if you are a good fit".

The young man thought about it and said, "mom, should I have sex with her too?"

The mother scoffed, "you know better than that, sex before marriage is fornication!!!"

The young man said, "well what is the difference with those persons who say that they want to have sex before marriage 'to see if they are a good fit sexually' and the person who wants to be engaged to
see if they are a good fit with the other person?"

He said, "Mom, I do not want to snap of a grape and eat it in the store before buying it. I want to buy the grapes and taste each one at home. I'm committed to the entire woman not just the things I like about her. She and I both have a complete understanding and commitment to being an Ephesians 5 husband and wife. We've done background checks on one another, credit scores, we've discussed one another's family and past relationship history at length. I'm ready to make a purchase! "

The young man has a valid point - what's the difference in trying out the cow (non-sexually) before you buy the milk and trying out the cow sexually before you buy?

Friends, as a topic of discussion: Is there an appropriate time to be engaged prior to marriage? Or is it relative to the couple?

[Leon A. Faulkner]

I think it is relative to the couple. As long asthry follow the leading of the Holy Spirit they are un the right road for a healthy Marriage.

[FascinateU]

Friends, as a topic of discussion: Is there an appropriate time to be engaged prior to marriage? Or is it relative to the couple?

I believe that it is relative to the couple and that there are no hard and fast rules on what is an "appropriate" allocation of dating time before marrriage.

I also like the young man's other points about how he and the young lady have spoken atlength about who and what they are; conducted background/credit checks; and discussed each other's family/relationship history.

That is an intimate relationship even if they have not yet seen each other face to face. If they have been honest with each other and have shared, prayed, and fasted on this situation and both believe that it is God's will that they unite as one: they will be blessed!