their marriage, the vast majority are happy within five years” and “almost eight out of ten who avoided divorce were happily married five years later.”5 Sticking it out, being committed, and persevering is what is required of you. Are you both ready for that? There was a day more than forty years ago (for Jim and Cathy) and thirty years ago (for Doug and Cathy) when before God, each other, friends, and family we said, “I will,” and “I do.” Looking back on our own engagement periods, we probably