QUESTION:
I have been going out with this person for one year and they asked me to marry them last night what should I do? Can someone help me.
ANSWER:
Thanks for your question. I am not sure where to start. There are so many factors that you have not gone into that would aid me in helping you consider the decision.
First off, you say you have been dating for a year- your age of course is a factor, one would assume that you are a young adult who can enter into the life time commitment of marriage. When you ask what you should do, it sounds like you are pretty unsure yourself that this is something you want to do and that the question may have been completely caught you off guard?
Marriage is a big decision to make and if entered into with any fear or sincere doubt can lead to divorce. My suggestion is to have a discussion with your boy/girl friend. What is their understanding of marriage- does it match yours? Is it in line with the teaching of the <st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:placename w:st=”on”>Catholic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st=”on”>Church-</st1:placetype></st1:place> do you yourself know what we teach on marriage? When is the marriage to take place- the very near or far future? Was this something that you two have ever discussed, seriously discussed? Have you considered what each of you brings to a marriage including strengths, weaknesses, debt etc? Are you both mature in your understanding of love and not just ?in love? with the idea of love and marriage?
This sounds like a time for some discussions and also some delving into what it takes to make marriage the lifetime, loving, fulfilling and wonderfully happy commitment that it is supposed to be.
Good luck !