LOL. Lame nickname... "Ohio State University CHemical Engineer"
OK...now you know I'm a nerd.
Now onto the other question.... My S/O and I met a week after I turned 18. We've changed a helluva lot in the past 10 years, and become "real people." I wanted to be sure that we continued to get along through all the major life changes. The change rate has slowed down now that we both have jobs, own a home, and are reasonably settled -- but only on the past year or two. Also, I wanted to be certain that the way we approached problems -- and their solutions -- was compatible with a long-term state like marriage.
Second, we've had some issues with our families over the years (family is key to both of us). I am Catholic, and he is Hindu and from India. This created some friction in terms of acceptance in the family, belief systems, how to raise kids, etc. It took several years to work these issues out.
Third, I've had to get comfortable with "me" and the idea of being life-long committed to another person. I've learned that I had to love myself and have a "life plan" before I could be truly happy and comfortable with another. I've found (via the school of hard knocks) that another person CANNOT make you happy -- you have to make yourself happy. Until I felt comfortable with me, it didn't make sense to get married. I don't see marriage as a salve that can cure self-esteem or personal issues. It's taken me years to get to the point that I can honestly say I "like" myself.
Am I ready now? Well, I am certainly closer to being ready than I have ever been. But it's been a process....and hopefully the result will be a happy and long marriage much like Irish and Dicksbro experience.
But only time will tell....
Gilly, thanks for your question. Hope the answer gives you some insight about "osuche" ~ the approach works for me, but admittedly wouldn't work for everyone.