Ultimate test of relationships? (mother-in-law, marriage, love, family)

[swanstone1]

I have always thought that the best test of a serious relationships is being able to survive each other on a cross country "road trip". Even better if it was in an old car. What more can give a person insight into each other's temperments and how they handle every day situations? Imagine being stuck in a blizzard near Buffalo,NY when I-90 is closed,you have a flat and have to find a Wal Mart to return a Nintendo Christmas present to repair the car so you can make it home? If both can laugh at this sort of thing, it says a lot. (ok, true story)

I've told my 19 year old daughter that before she decides to marry, she MUST drive from East to West with the SO. What other types of "tests" do you think one should try beforehand? I've never even considered another.

[yellowsnow]

They need to make up a budget....on paper and stick to it for 6 months. The budget needs to be strict and have a savings goal. If they can't do it, they aren't ready for marriage.

[CaliTerp07]

We had a huge test...we came back from our honeymoon to find that our brand new, not yet lived in apartment where we had been storing all our wedding gifts had flooded while we were away. (A sewer pipe had backed up, so it wasn't even clean water...)

We spent the first two weeks back from our marriage on the phone with insurance people and the apartment complex, sleeping on friends' couches (so much for making a home together!) while waiting for the insurance money to come in so we could replace all the stuff.

It was definitely a good test (we passed!) but I wouldn't wish it on anyone...

[SeaOfGrass]

One assists the other with a household repair.

[Coolhand68]

To me the ultimate test is surviving a do-it-yourself move together. Excellent way to test the marriage and your sanity.

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by Coolhand68

To me the ultimate test is surviving a do-it-yourself move together. Excellent way to test the marriage and your sanity.

Oh yes, we've done a couple of those now too. They're always high stress. (And somehow I always get sick during them too!)

[robee70]

Originally Posted by swanstone1

What other types of "tests" do you think one should try beforehand? I've never even considered another.

Renovations.

[LuckyGem]

#1. Distance.

#2. Infidelity.

#3. Loss of income because of being laid-off work.

#4. Mother-in-law moving in.

(the above not necessarily in any particular order of importance).

[max's mama]

Originally Posted by swanstone1

I have always thought that the best test of a serious relationships is being able to survive each other on a cross country "road trip". Even better if it was in an old car. What more can give a person insight into each other's temperments and how they handle every day situations? Imagine being stuck in a blizzard near Buffalo,NY when I-90 is closed,you have a flat and have to find a Wal Mart to return a Nintendo Christmas present to repair the car so you can make it home? If both can laugh at this sort of thing, it says a lot. (ok, true story)

I've told my 19 year old daughter that before she decides to marry, she MUST drive from East to West with the SO. What other types of "tests" do you think one should try beforehand? I've never even considered another.

Well, moving to another state without having any job opportunities, or family, with a child was not only a risky move, but also a test of our relationship.

[MAtheBanker]

I think all couples, while they're at their peak, should spend a week apart. My brother and SIL both agree the first 5 years of their marriage would have been SO much better if they had learned the kind of love you gain from being apart.