McDreamy's Question: "Ham or Eggs?"

They say marriage is serious and I've never doubted it. True, the getting engaged part was easy - almost effortless in fact *grin* - but in the wake of its romantic bling*, the burden of commitment is one serious contender...

When every conversation is a plan for the future and every $6-starbucks mocha becomes another cause to my financial downfall; when every lack of insurance policy is a possibly parent-less child later on and every decision can either monetarily make or break you, flippancy really does go out the window and along with it, sometimes fun.

It's been quite an experience so far, this whole business of getting married, and I do mean it literally. It's scary when every thing is about money and the risk of losing it unwisely whether through hastily put deposits or impulsively made purchases, the likes of which we are trying to avoid (or at least Vincent is trying to prevent).

Even when we fell in love with the most nicely renovated Pasir Ris maisonette and wanted to buy it on the second viewing, a sudden illegal proposition threw a spanner in the works and the deal was off - imagine a $445 000 purchase and spending the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders. It just was not meant to be, which was a pity.

After that brief but scandalous affair, we chanced upon an apartment in the heart of the city, very affordable and just the right size for two. But therein lies the quandary: do we buy an apartment that suits our needs right now or find one meant for the future? How is it that the middle ground feels like we're settling for less simply because it delays gratification?

The need to plan for the future is overwhelming sometimes even when you think you've found the right one, the right place. There's always going to be an occasion for self-doubt and second guessing. Maybe that's why two heads are better than one, at least when it comes to buying an apartment.

Still, with all this running back and forth of considerations and ideas, sooner or later the die must be cast. I wonder what it will take before both of us throw in the towel and become the hams in this relationship... Afterall, that's the key isn't it?

Regardless of whether the decision is a good or bad one - so long as neither chooses eggs and both parties commit to each other - you can always ride out a rough patch knowing that your friend will stand by you for better or for worse.