Stages in a healthy relationship
look like this: |
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Attraction toward one another |
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Friendship |
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Dating |
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Taking things slowly |
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Getting to really know one another's likes and dislikes,
values and value systems |
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Getting to know each other’s friends and family |
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Getting to know each other’s interests. |
Do you have enough in common by now to see if the relationship
grows further? |
If so, continue
to take things slowly: |

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No sex! Remember, having sex with dating partners is not
practicing for marriage, it is practicing for divorce.
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Enjoy minimal physical touches: hand-holding, light kissing,
arms around each other, hugs, looking into each others eyes.
Enjoy the chemistry without the sex.
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Have you had any fights yet? Even when disagreeing, each
should remain respectful of the other person.
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Have you discovered each other’s faults? Can you
live with them? In other words, are you able to accept the
other person, faults and all without trying to change one
another? |

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Have you found out whether or not each of you has the same
values upon which to grow your relationship? Do you have similar
goals in life, similar objectives?
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Do you find yourself growing together more, or are you
finding too many differences in your lives to really make
a relationship strong and secure? Break ups do not have to
be devastating if/when you discover together that you do not
have enough in common to make a commitment work.
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Do you have a spiritual bond with each other—do you
have a similar faith background to see you through the rough
times as well as the good times? |
All of the above will give you a
good foundation for a lasting relationship.
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Remember, it takes time to discover all
these things about each other. If you enter into a sexual bond
before a marriage commitment, you will not have the closeness
in other areas that will be very important for a solid foundation.
Statistics have proven this, time and time again.
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Don’t settle for second
best...
This is YOUR LIFE we are talking about.
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Go for the Gold!
You are worth it!
The next page will help you think about where you might
want some changes in your life so that you can feel better
about yourself and your choices
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