Leaving Home...

I have always wondered how I would handle leaving my home and getting married.  I have always held the belief that once I am married, I need to cleave unto my husband and none else, just as the scriptures say.  That isn't to say that I will only talk to and spend time with him, but I do think that I will need to manage the time I spend with others, especially my mom.  My mom and I have always been very close, and sometimes I feel bad for not being home more to spend time with her (I know she gets lonely and misses me), but I have realized that I need to be comfortable being my own person and living my own life.  This week's readings helped assure me that I don't need to feel bad for moving ahead with my life and entering the stages of married life soon.  I can still show her my love and support without feeling bad for being physically apart from her sometimes.  

I also really appreciated the counsel about only discussing marital matters between the two of you as spouses.  Information and questions regarding your relationship should be kept within the bounds of your marriage, and I believe that because of this, your marriage will be strengthened as you work through problems together and with the Lord.  If it is needed, of course help can be asked from parents or a counselor, but they should not be approached before the individuals in the marriage work together to find solutions.  

The advice and information about money was also very helpful.  I have always been a little apprehensive about managing my money, especially when I am married.  I am not worried so much about spending too much as I am not knowing how to save the most effectively.  I thought that the studies about family status and how those relationships affect your money management was especially interesting; it just goes to show that the way you are raised and how you develop as a person directly affects almost every aspect of your life later on.  These topics were so important for me to learn more about as I enter the holiday season and begin learning how to manage different families and different financial circumstances.