Marriage is a business otherwise there would be no need for a marriage license. If you’re getting married for love, you have no need for a license unless you want to make it “official”,  somehow it’s not considered official, unless you have a license. You get a marriage license from the same place you get a building permit.

We all agree it’s a partnership, no different than two lawyers opening a law firm together. Some will that say, you can protect your assets with marriage in case someone dies. My common sense reply, you can write a will to protect who gets your assets after your death. Also you can use a power of attorney for different situations.

The statistics of businesses and marriages ending are so similar its ridiculous. Within five years most fail or end in divorce.

I want your marriage business to succeed. So I have compiled a to do before I do list.

1. The foundation or footing must be square and placed on solid ground. Therefore anything that might ruin the marriage business later, should be dealt with immediately. If you have debts, bad habits and skeletons it’s best to just put out in the open before pouring your concrete foundation or cracks will occur.

2. Tear down your old walls and make a plan to build new ones together. Walls are something we all have built around ourselves for protection. If either person keeps any walls up, they will eventually create a cage in your own home. If you don’t feel safe enough to tear down your walls and build new ones together call the wedding off.

3. The roof, are you both headed in the same direction? A successful marriage can last decades. Like a good roof which can stand strong for 30 years and protect everything under it. Make sure your life goals are aligned to protect everything. If neither or only one of you have life goals. The roof might leak and like the little boy in the Color Purple said “it’s gone rain on your head”

4. Lastly wiring and ventilation systems. A house like a marriage can mold and mildew without fresh air and electricity to make it flow. So make sure both of you are committed to changing air filters and keep the sparks going. If either spouse is not committed to working on the business of marriage. Going out of business or for sales are on the lawn.

Disclaimer: I have never been married, the to do before I do list are just things, I would talk to my lady about before even considering proposing to her.