Well, I will be one of those to admit that I did cohabit before marriage. It seemed to feel soo good and be right at the time.
But we all know how we can be tempted into doing what feels “right.” Yes, I know it was a mistake. It was a mistake because we really rushed into things. My life outside of the relationship faltered. I sacrificed doing good in school and other friendships. There was no time really getting to know one another, no excitement of slowly learing about the other person first. But there was plenty of sin
Anyway, I asked her to marry me and she said yes. I was a Catholic from birth, but who had falled away from the church years ago. So we went through marriage prep. I remember the Priest telling us that I would need to be confirmed and we would both have to go through classes.
Here’s where I have several complaints about the way marriage prep was done in this Parish looking back. No one ever mentioned repentance and confession and to stop sinning (i.e. pre-marital sex). I was confirmed without confession and in a state of mortal sin. Not even a recommendation to go (not that I’m not an adult and couldn’t do it myself, but after 10 years since last regularly being in a church, it wouldn’t have hurt to have a refresher). Then when the subject of mass attendance came up, the Priest told me that he recommened I start attending mass once a month, to get into it. So I said, what time is mass tomorrow (it was a Saturday). He said, “you don’t have to come, only if you want to.”
Well, I then got married in 1999 in a state of mortal sin. Since then I have come to truly realize what the faith is, and only in the last 2 years have I truly been faithful. I have finally went to confession and restored the state of grace I should have been in to start with. My wife has never went to confession since we met, and I don’t think she will in the near future.
I think I still would have asked her to marry me, but had we not cohabitated, it would have been a lot easier!