Don’t Say ‘I Do’ …Yet: Brutally Honest Pre-Marriage Questions That Could Save Your Relationship

21 years. My marriage is now old enough to buy its own beer — though, thankfully, it doesn’t need alcohol to drown its sorrows. After two decades, our relationship has weathered job losses, parenting chaos, cross-country moves, and even a few midlife crises. It’s survived long enough to vote, enlist in the military, and toast to its own resilience. But here’s the truth: staying married isn’t about luck. It’s about doing the work before the storms hit.

Let me tell you a story. Years ago, I sat with a starry-eyed couple about to tie the knot. “Talk about everything,” I warned them. “Even the stuff that feels trivial now. What seems cute today might drive you crazy in 10 years.” They shrugged, convinced their “practice” living together had them covered. Spoiler: They divorced before their fifth anniversary.

Why? Life happens. Careers stall. Kids drain your sleep reserves. In-laws overstay. The flame of intimacy burns a little less brightly. And suddenly, those unspoken expectations become landmines.

Spring Weddings Are Coming — Here’s Your Survival Kit fvvv

With wedding season around the corner, I’m sharing the gritty, real-talk advice I wish someone had given me. Below are the topics seasoned couples swear by — the ones that can mean the difference between a marriage that…