When a couple becomes engaged, life becomes a blur. Whether the engagement spans a few weeks or more than a year, the period between singleness and oneness fills quickly with showers, parties, wedding preparation, and home shopping. Family and friends all want to help with anything you'll let them be involved with. And every one of them has loving advice. Everyone.

I waded through a river of opinions from people I loved during my engagement. Whether out of politeness, curiosity, or concern, I listened to each piece. But as the flood waters rose higher, I began to see that not everything I heard was worth taking to heart. I received advice like: "You need to have a baby right away. Nothing brings a couple together faster than a baby!" and, "Your husband will be happier with you if you keep a spotless house and cook every night." Or how about this one: "You can't wear lingerie without high heels."

Well, I knew I didn't want a baby right away unless God willed it. As a woman who works full time, I have never kept a spotless house or cooked every night. And as I looked at the lingerie I'd been given at a shower, I wondered, "Am I really supposed to have shoes to match every outfit?" Unless you work at Victoria's Secret, that's just not practical!

I also heard some scary advice from several couples, who, sadly, were Christians. Their advice sounded something like this: "When you get married, you'll think it's wonderful, but it's not. You won't even like each other after a few years. Marriage is terrible." In other words, "Be afraid, be very afraid!"

I know other engaged people and newlyweds face this predicament all the time. A close friend of mine laughed as she told me a horror story from her time as an engaged woman. Seems two older church ladies thought she needed a little schooling. They pulled her aside and told her exactly how to please her husband – intimately. Talk about embarrassing!

You can't take everything everybody says seriously, but whether you appreciate the advice or not, you can't turn off the advice machine either. Somehow, people mistake silence or subject-changing for an invitation to give yet more advice. Advice from loved ones has its benefits though. I did find some gems among the things I was told – positive advice that had practical application in my young marriage.

Now, though I don’t claim to be an expert, I am going to turn the tables and do a little advice-offering. I hope that having been through the engagement and newlywed process not long ago, some of the lessons I learned will help other couples embarking on this journey.

Marriage exists for the glory of God

The advice I cherish most came through talking with and observing several successful couples -- couples who showed me that the purpose of marriage is to bring glory to God. While romance, companionship, and children are all integral parts of marriage, marriage is first and foremost about serving the Creator. To see His qualities reflected in each other, and to appreciate the differences in each other, enabling us to love as Jesus loved. It’s about working together to find ways that the talents in the marriage can serve Him.