If you’re dating, make marriage your New Year’s resolution

Matt Lamb

December 28, 02:34 PM December 28, 02:41 PM

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If you are currently dating or engaged to someone, make a firm New Year’s resolution either to break up or be married by this time next year.

The benefits of marriage are well established. A new study from SmartAsset.com found that nine of the 10 happiest cities also had the highest marriage rates. Married people also accumulate more wealth and have better mental health.

YOU CAN’T STRENGTHEN FATHERHOOD WITHOUT STRENGTHENING MARRIAGE

I know the benefits of a short dating-to-marriage path — my wife and I dated for four months before we were engaged. Then, we were married seven months later, in the summer of 2020, during COVID-19 lockdowns. Now, we have a home and children in less than three years. I cannot comprehend spending an additional two or three years waiting to be married.

So stop delaying the wedding or putting off a breakup that should happen. Why put off marrying someone with whom you share values and goals? 

It does not take more than a year to find out if someone has the same beliefs when it comes to important topics such as religion, children, and money. If there is significant disagreement and neither can budge, that is a good sign to end the relationship and move on so each person can find someone more suitable.

Likewise, if now is not the right time to get married, then a breakup must be in order. It is not fair to string someone along or want the benefits of a relationship without the commitment to marriage. 

If a couple is on the same page on these topics, it is time to get engaged and set a date. Do not delay what is good because of dreams of a perfect wedding or honeymoon. Marriage is about the unity of a husband and wife and is the basic building block of society. If someone is right for you, get married, join households, and be open to having children. 

Objections might be raised: sickness, crushing student debt, or family drama. Guess what? Everyone at some time in their life will suffer due to medical, financial, or family conflicts. If you do not want to share the burdens of these obstacles with someone, then they are not the right person for you to marry, and frankly, marriage is probably not for you, either.

Gentlemen, once you know that you and your girlfriend are on the same page about values and goals, move forward and get engaged. Ladies, if he is not willing to commit, or you are not willing to get married now, appreciate the memories but end the relationship.

Then, let 2023 be the year that marriages begin and new families are formed. 

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Matt Lamb is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. He is an associate editor for the College Fix and has previously worked for Students for Life of America and Turning Point USA.