MANHATTAN, Kan. – Finding "The One," or rather Mr./Ms. Right, often is the subject of best-selling novels, the newest movie, or the most talked-about songs. It is a topic of conversation at almost any age. Most know that they aren’t likely to meet someone and ride into the sunset to a happily-ever-after.

Choosing, rather than finding, a life partner can be well worth the time and effort invested in the process. But, the line between a date and a relationship can be difficult to identify.

Relationships usually evolve, said Charlotte Shoup Olsen, a family systems specialist with Kansas State University Research and Extension. For example, couples who enjoy each other’s company may want to ask themselves questions like:

* Can we talk easily?

* Do I feel close to ...?

* Do I feel comfortable sharing my innermost thoughts, feelings and fears?

* Are we building shared memories – or a history – together?

As a couple’s relationship matures, they usually begin discussing their future. The couple may want to ask themselves if they want to continue at the current pace, if they want to increase their commitment, or if they want to consider marriage.

If marriage is a consideration, Olsen suggests that the couple ask themselves these questions:

* Do we like each other as people?

* Are we improving our communications skills for marriage?

* Do we resolve conflict in a constructive way?

* Do we have realistic expectations about marriage?

* Do we agree on religious and ethical issues?

* Do we balance couple and individual leisure time?

On average, a couple is engaged 12-16 months. During this time, premarital counseling or education is important, Olsen said.

"We prepare ourselves for everything else in life. We prepare for the job market, but we don’t prepare for marital relationship," said Olsen, who identified some of the key psychological issues that may be addressed prior to marriage:

* anxiety about marriage;

* sense of losing freedom;

* gaining more responsibility;

* learning to accept spouse’s faults; and

* handling the relationship after the newness wears off.

Other key issues that should be discussed during the engagement are the expectations for the marriage, Olsen said. Immediate and long-term goals, finances, distribution of household tasks and having children are some of the expectations that should be considered.

"The more you realize your partner’s expectations, the more you learn how to work on a resolution of the possible conflict," Olsen said.

Discussing expectations for and concerns about marriage also may help decrease pre-wedding jitters. Once it is time to plan the wedding, couples need to concentrate less on the pomp and circumstance and more on the purpose for the wedding, Olsen said.

For more information on improving relationships, interested persons may contact Olsen at 785- 532-5773.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.