James Allen News Center

Getting engaged is an exciting step that most girls fantasize from the time they start dating. And why shouldn’t it be a fantasy? You get to wear a gorgeous diamond engagement ring that makes you feel like a princess and you send a message to the world that you have met the one and are ready to continue your lives together forever. But before you take the next step, make sure you know these three very important things about your partner…

1. Whether or not you both want children

Having kids seems like a no-brainer to many people, but it’s not the case for all couples. Before tying the knot, make sure you’ve figured out whether or not you want children and whether or not your partner wants children. Couples who don’t have this clear going into an engagement can face deal-breaking problems down the line (remember Charlotte and Trey from “Sex and the City”?). If you guys are both game, you can even begin speculating on how many kids you’d like, though it’s not as pressing.

2. Religious beliefs

If neither of you are very religious, it’s a good idea to at least discuss the possibility of one of you becoming more religious. Planning a wedding and having children can often introduce a whole spiritual world for some people and it’s a good idea to know where your partner stands on these issues before walking down the aisle.

3. Skeletons in the closet

Though this one is the most uncomfortable (and often least applicable of the three), it’s a good idea to ask your partner if there is anything he or she has been keeping from you that would be important for you to know. This doesn’t mean that you have to tell each other EVERYTHING, it just means that if one of you has ever had a run-in with the law or anything else worth noting, it’s important to come clean before tying the knot.