Well I cannot give you any advice on where you are moving. As to marriage, today the 26th, my wife and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />, so I think I can give some advice on that topic.

Your spouse should be your best friend <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />. While you may and will most likely have some different interests, however, doing things together will foster an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect. Find some common interests and cultivate those areas of commonality and be flexible. Things that you or he may never have thought would appeal <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> to you, may, when you have someone do those things with, really take on a different light and become interesting <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />.

Realize that you are different people <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> and that there will be things that totally annoy you <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />, just realize the same will be true for him. Those are minor issues; always keep an eye on the larger picture <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. When you decide to have a family, realize you are no longer just you guys, your interests must be put aside in the rearing of your children and the development of the family dynamics.

Never go to bed mad, that is the time your mind starts to imagine all types of scenarios <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. You will rest much easer if you have resolved issues that may weigh heavy on the mind and can be the source for snowballing. It has been my experience that, in general men and women think and perceive things very differently <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />. When you come to a roadblock in negations, try and really listen (I know we men hear, but can not get ourselves to listen) as to what the other person is trying to convey.

You will fight <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />, except that fact and then move on to things that are really important and whatever you were fighting about will become a distant memory <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />. Here, I think men have the advantage, as we fight, get it out of the way and move on, women tend to hold a grudge for along time, again just my experiences <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />.

Always maintain a sense of humor <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Good luck on your impending marriage. Pete