Dating...

Whether you are married or not thinking about dating brings many memories thoughts and emotions. But what exactly is dating? I think sometimes people forget exactly what dating is or how it can be defined. I like the definition of dating as doing a variety of activities with a variety of people. It is hard to get to know someone when every time you go on a date you do the same thing or something closely related to it. A variety of activities can include: going hiking, playing a sport, painting a picture, playing an instrument, playing a board or card game with a group of people, participating in a service project, or  something one or both of you want to learn to do even if you aren't very good at.
Another concern related to dating is that many people slide form dating to courtship, from courtship to engagement, and then to marriage without having any intentional though in stepping from one step to the next. These four step: Dating, Courtship, Engagement, and Marriage, need to be intentional in every way. If you do slide from one step to the next, you may find yourself in an unhappy and unsatisfying marriage and wonder how you got there.
All in all, dating can be tough, but remember dating can be fun! Do a bunch of different things with a bunch of different people. You will be glad you did! Remember to make the intentional steps from dating, to courtship, engagement, and marriage and not to slide through them! No one wants to find themselves in marriage unhappy and not sure why or how they got there.