Singles-Party1

(Photo Courtesy: Centric TV)

 

Dear Diary,

 

Recently, I made a resolution to break up with someone. Well, we weren’t technically together. He said we were dating, but our relationship didn’t exactly fit the definition. He was friendly, funny and fine, but beyond that, I didn’t think we had much in common and for the first time, I lowered my expectations to avoid loneliness during the holidays. My friends encouraged me to “keep it casual” and “have fun”. After all, this was one of the first people I went out with after breaking up with my daughter’s dad. I followed their advice for the first few weeks, but as time ticked on, I started to set expectations and seek substance. It’s hard to “keep it casual” when humans and feelings are involved.  I didn’t see this man as “marriage material,” but I still expected him to act like a future husband or perhaps just a boyfriend. I know relationships develop overtime. Nonetheless, I wanted him to be something, someone he wasn’t. I wanted more than what he could give.  And that wasn’t fair for either of us. So I told him I didn’t think we should pursue anything further. He said he was sorry I felt that way and wished me good luck–but not in a do well way rather a good luck searching for someone in the club way.  There are a lot more details to the story, but I won’t reveal too much information, because like I said, he is a cool person. He’s just not the person for me. In a reflective New Year’s Eve mood, I came up with dating resolutions to lead to marriage. I didn’t write a long list of what I was doing wrong–that could lead to depression not empowerment. Instead, I focused on what I was doing right. We often look for a potential mate to possess a long list of qualities when we should first look within to make sure we’re marriage material.

 

1. Become Spiritually Strong

Most of my friends and family members who have strong marriages also have strong spiritual foundations. God is at the center of their union, which anchors their marriage when a storm hits. Having a close relationship with God allows me to have close relationships with others. When I pray or study scriptures, I am more patient, more loving and more kind. Until I meet my mate, I can strive to be the Proverbs 31 woman. I can turn to the Bible instead of society to determine what marriage means and trust God to deliver a mate.

 

2. Heal From Past Heartbreaks

After my daughter’s dad dumped me, I didn’t date anyone for a year and a half. I needed that time to heal from heartache, learn from mistakes and move on mentally. I refuse to take baggage packed with anger or envy into a new relationship. Also, I analyzed my other relationships. What went wrong? What went right? What did I learn from my experiences? What qualities do I want in a significant other?  What won’t I tolerate?  Although people don’t usually change, they can improve. Yes, some things are personality traits, habits you’ve developed over the years. But if you examine yourself, there may be negative behaviors you can work on.

 

3. Love Me First

In order to love someone else, I love myself first. Sounds selfish but in reality, it’s the best wedding gift I can give my husband. He won’t be required to fill a void, because I don’t need to be half of a couple to be a complete person. Although I feel insecure at times, those times don’t last long. I am comfortable in my skin. Loving myself means I am less likely to be jealous, desperate or needy in a relationship. Often, I hear single women say, I can do bad by myself. I would like to change that and say, I can do good by myself.

 

4. Be a Blushing Bridesmaid

More than 80% of my close friends are married. I’ve been a guest, a hostess or a bridesmaid at more than a dozen weddings over the past decade. I never envied the brides. I was always happy to be a part of their marital bliss. I spent hours helping to plan some of these events and the pre-party festivities, but they put in even more work after they jumped the broom. They’ve taught me what it takes to be a good wife and to build a happy home. And their husbands give great dating advice from a male’s perspective. I’ve also observed the marriages within my family as well. My parents recently celebrated their 45th anniversary, and before my grandparents passed away, they lived longer as husband and wife than they did as individuals. They married at 16 and lived well into their 80s.  They are marriage mentors.

 

5. Realize Not Everyone I Meet is My Husband

I try not to look at every man I meet as my future spouse. That’s a lot of pressure to put on someone and myself. I can like someone or even love someone, but that someone may not be my husband. I can’t force something to happen or rush into a relationship. In my thirties, I date differently.  I don’t compromise my non-negotiables, my authentic self or my values. I developed views on children, religion, money, sex, commitment and divorce and seek someone with a similar marriage mindset.

 

6. Determine Why I Want to Get Married

When the movie Why Did I Get Married? hit the silver screen, I was one of the first people in line to buy a ticket. At the time, marriage wasn’t on my mind. My ex was. I went to the prom with actor Lamman Rucker who played Troy, and when he appeared in the movie shirtless, I giggled at the women swooning in the audience. Lamman and I took public transportation to our first date and were more friends than lovers. Still, everyone asked why we weren’t together as if I would marry him just because he made it to Hollywood–leaving his bus pass behind I’m sure. The movie made me examine issues such as commitment, betrayal and forgiveness. And for the first time in my life, I began to determine why I wanted to get married. I want stability and security, for better or for worse. I want to be selfless and supportive. I want my strengths and weaknesses to balance someone else’s and vice versa. I want to love someone like 1 Corinthians 13 and get that love in return from my mate.

 

7. Be Marriage Material

This is the toughest point of all.  I had to honestly evaluate my life to find out if I was really marriage material.  I must be kind, giving, compassionate, trustworthy, nurturing, respectful, discerning, discreet and God-fearing.  Although I am independent, I don’t have a problem adopting traditional gender roles. I don’t mind cooking, cleaning and caring for the kids. I must admit that I don’t do this for every man I meet. But I can’t expect a man to do everything for me when I do nothing in return. Before I’m married or even engaged, I work to be financially and emotionally stable.

 

Hey DFTM family, what would you add to the list?  What should someone do to become marriage material?

 

About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

13 Responses

  1. Chasing Joy

    I am single and dating right along with you. I think you make some excellent point here. I think I am guilty at looking at every guy through the microscope of are you “the one”. I also think I can spend sometime looking at my past relationships to see what I could have done differently and what I need to continue to do in future relationships.

    Reply
  2. ChaChanna

    I am single but not dating. I say I am not because I am still suffering from past relationship heartbreaks and trying to chose the one. Like everyone, I don’t want to be hurt so I’m terrified at making yet another horrible dating choice so I don’t choose anyone.

    Reply
  3. Janeane Davis

    I have been happily married for 22+ years and I think in order to be ready for marriage a person has to be willing to be part of a team that is 100%/100%. People always say 50/50 but 50% is an “F.” Marriage is a relationship that requires both people to give their all in order for the venture to be successful.

    Reply
    • Kim G

      I love what you say about marriage being a team effort 100%/100%. My husband and I have made it just past the one year mark. What you said is a great reminder to stay focused on what is important. Good word!

      Reply
  4. MELISASource

    Totally love number 5 and number 6!! These 2 things (in my opinion) are the primary reasons why relationships/marriages don’t work out. And of course all of the other resolutions are on-point, too!! Awesome share for the New Year!

    Reply
  5. Jordan

    Being 23, single & dating, I think these are tips that I definitely needed to be reminded of. For me, a big thing is not comparing myself to my friends & their status in relationships. Last year I dated a bunch and I learned about me more than anything..still I am a work in progress.

    Reply
    • newmom0608

      While you are wishing to live your friends life, they probably are wishing to live yours! Once while living on the beach in the Cayman Islands, I complained about being lonely/single. My married friend said she would love to live my life, travel and have more free time. We always want what we don’t have. I’ve learned not to always thing the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Instead, I water and take care of the grass on my side! You seem to be on the right track!

      Reply
  6. Pammy Pam

    i would like to respectfully disagree with your point about not every man is your husband. when i was in my mid 30s and divorced with two younguns i had to look at every man as husband material. i was ready to settle down again and i did not want to waste any more of my precious time on the wrong men. so when i met men, i looked at them as potential husbands. if they didn’t measure up, i was gone.

    it worked. for me.

    Reply
    • newmom0608

      Everyone I meet is not my husband, but like you Pam, I look at the men I meet through different lenses as a mom. I don’t want to waste my time or theirs. The wrong mate would impact not only my life but my daughter’s, which is why it’s even more important for me to date differently:)

      Reply
  7. Saidah @ AProverbsWife.com

    If a God centered marriage is the goal, I’d also add — surround yourself with couples who demonstrate God centered marriages. In other words, seek out and pray that God would put you in relationship with these kinds of people. One thing that’s helped my marriage is knowing our friends will give of Godly counsel concerning our marriage. Not only that, they will pray with us and for us.

    Reply
    • newmom0608

      So true! Unfortunately, some people follow advice from couples/singles who aren’t on the same path, which leads to rocky roads:(

      Reply
  8. Talia Jacole

    I just love you! What a great post. I totally agree with every single one of these resolutions, especially 2 and 7. I too have had to deal with past heartbreak. I got divorced a year or so ago and taking a breather from dating to deal with the angry/hurt feelings was just what I needed. Number 7 rings very true. I always tell my single friends ‘you have to be a dime, to get a dime’, essentially meaning, if they want the marriage-minded sucessful guy, they need to be seen as marriage material and have some of the same values.

    I look forward to reading your posts in the future!

    – Talia
    rubytiaradiaries.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • newmom0608

      Thanks Talia! Time does heal all wounds. I’m no longer bitter/envious/guilty. Focus on building yourself up. It will pay off in the end and will prevent problems in future relationships!

      Reply

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