If you think these examples are extreme, I'm sorry to say they really aren't. Go to dinner in a family restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night and witness all married couples who don't even talk to each other.

You don't want to end up like these people.

To make sure you don't, take your time when you're dating someone. After a while, if your relationship seems to be heading somewhere, ask questions that matter: Does guy want children? More important, what are his beliefs about raising of children? Who takes care of household chores? What are his feelings about infidelity? Does he believe marriage is for life, or does he think it should last only as long as it's fun?

You don't necessarily want to tie guy to a chair and torture him with Christina Aguilera records until he coughs up answers, but you do want to ask him. Casually. One question at a time. Get to know a guy before you start fantasizing about floating up an aisle in a big white dress.

One of great things about being single is that your world is full of possibilities. You're free to come and go as you please. You never want to find yourself crying your eyes out, trapped with a pack of screaming children because you married some loser who won't let you out of house.

It's your life. You deserve to spend it with a man who respects that and makes you truly happy. He's out there, so hold out for him.

Please.