[Lugez]

I can sorta agree with the first part. I would personally say at least 3-5 years but that's just me. Just one year seems way too fast.

I can see your argument about living together, but I do have problems with it. You see, when a couple gets married and starts to live together, I think there is a MUCH greater incentive to work things out because of the commitment they both agreed to. After all, you're married and love each other very much.

But if you live together before you're married, that degree of necessity just isn't there. It's too easy to walk away and say "I don't like the way this guy lives BYE." Instead of trying to work things out, it's much easier to just quit in this case. Basically, I think married couples will try harder to compromise than non-married ones.

Ideally, I think the couple shouldn't be officially "living" together, but they should have stayed with each other long enough to know what it would that experience would be like (staying in their respective places for a bit, going on trips, etc.).

I also feel that sex before marriage is a must. Sexual chemistry is extremely important in long term relationships, and I'm sorry but unfortunately just because you love someone doesn't mean they'll satisfy you.

As for the sex part, I think it would depend entirely on the relationship. For some, sex matters alot. For some, it doesn't.

I agree with meeting the parents. Or meeting the family, in general.