[Ramius]

Jen,

*All* qualifications are negotiable, dear. Just trust me on this. Everything depends on what is brought to the table, and that is a useless thing to try to predict, and more to the point it will always be something you do not expect.

Not that I know for sure. Just guessing.

[JenB]

Well, not all points are negotiable. I won't marry a non-Christian, though the flavor isn't as important... I've seen too many mixed marriages for that. And a couple of the others would be nice...

[Wneighbor]

*All* qualifications are negotiable, dear. Just trust me on this. Everything depends on what is brought to the table, and that is a useless thing to try to predict, and more to the point it will always be something you do not expect.

Seems to me too many people have unrealistic expectations about the other individual. One of the biggest challenges in a relationship is to learn to expect the unexpected and to adapt to growth and change in one another. People often complain that their partner "changed." Well, gees, we're all going to change in some way or we're not growing. Relationships between people have to grow as well. But, that growth has to encompass not only itself, but the growth in each individual. Only thing that should not change is committment. Once you are committed it oughtta not stop.

For me, I think qualifications are that this concept is understood. Otherwise, you're headed for disaster.

Not that I've actually managed this successfully of course. But, I've given it my best.