What is allowed in premarital relationships?

[R1ch4rd]

Well, God bless you and I pray it works out.

I really do.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I sure hope so. Marrying a Protestant isn’t a sin. If she’s taking her faith that seriously, she sounds like an excellent convert in the making.

Deo Gratias some people like this still exist. Ecumenism in action, baby.

Umm, “Flirt to Convert” isn’t Ecumenism.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I’ve had some close calls and I know how easy it is for things to snowball. Being real with myself, being aware of what happened and what could happen is the best way to be prepared. It’s how I’ve made it this far.

Thanks for the advice! It is really practical and most importantly it is very applicable to our lives. Again, I really appreciate it!

Thanks for the link. I am at work so I was only able to scan through it quickly but I will read it more carefully when I get some free time.

The ironic thing here was that, originally, I was the one who had a problem with her not being Catholic. She on the other hand didn’t make my religion an issue at all, ever. Sadly, the few fights we had about religion were instigated by me and she was always accepting of me and my catholicity, while I wasn’t accepting of her views.

The important thing is that I’ve found someone who taught me and counties to teach me what self-giving love is about; a love that reminds me of God’s love for me. Someone who is willing to quickly forgive my transgressions. Someone who is God-fearing. Someone who isn’t afraid to speak about God or the things he has done in her life. Someone I could pray with every night (and we do). Someone who enjoys going to church. Someone who wants God to be part of our relationship. Someone who is patient with me.

I call her my Proverbs 31 and to top it all off she’s the incarnation of physical beauty; she’s a sight to behold! In fact I was shocked to learn that she had an interest in me, given the number of men who chase her and her physical beauty. She said my spirituality, the fact that I was a virgin and my values caught her attention and that was something I never heard from any of the women in my parish. With that said, I pray to God she says, “yes” to me, when that time comes. I’m not saying we won’t have our challenges however those are challenges I am sure we can overcome, with the help of God.

And how does her family feel about you being Catholic? How does she feel about not being able to use birth control and having to be open to life? How does she feel about the fact that your children will have to be raised as Catholics? You say you pray together, but how do you pray together? How does she feel about reciting the family Rosary? Devotion to Mary? The Sacred Heart? How does she feel about you and your future children having to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation?

Our former priest strongly discouraged interfaith marriages because he has seen far too many Catholics suffer because their spouse decided they didn’t actually like the Catholic faith after all and made it difficult for the Catholic to practice their fatih.

 

[llenadegracia]

To answer the original question, it really just depends on you and her. Some couples can cuddle and that can be completely innocent. But for other couples, cuddling just is too much for one or both people.

I’m a Catholic lady about the age of your girlfriend, and I think (generally) girls definitely can be a little more physical without it becomming an issue…I know a wonderful young man I was dating for quite some time had issues when I hugged him from the front because my chest ended up too close/touching him. That’s not to say he was a complete wimp and let even holding my hand become sinful, but it’s something to keep in mind. It was no big deal for me but a huge deal for him. I was glad he brought it up because it made our relationship stronger to know that we were supporting each other. And as a bonus, we don’t have anything troublesome or unchaste about our relationship to regret since we have parted ways now.

In the post above me, Deo Gratias42 really hit on some good questions and discussions you’ll want to have with her before asking the big question.

 

[loozcannon]

Best way to avoid it is to always pretend Grandma is watching when you’re with her. That’s about as simple as I can get.

Good luck to you and God Bless!