Step I
Spend the first two or three decades -of your life- apart. Meet each other. Spend a lot of time together. Realize it will save gas if you don't have to go across town to see each other. Remember it will be cheaper to rent a movie instead of going out. Spend a lot of money. Your dream must be perfect. Money makes a happy dream. Get married.

Step II
Spend the next two to (however many you're blesed with) decades getting to know each other. Factor in estrogen, testosterone and hormone changes. Use more gas than dating could have ever called for or demanded. A video is cheaper but you forgot to calculate pampers, formula, leaky roofs, car repair, doctor bills, groceries . . .

Step III
Be prepared for dropped jaws and wide eyes when it's discovered you've been married longer than the national average. (Much longer.)

Step IV
Pull yourself together and get to work when you understand you won't stay married because you say, "I'm married."

Learn more about this author, Arna Shines.
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