Communication is key.

Discussing Life Issues

"Not discussing big life issues: your preference for having kids, parenting styles, deep religious beliefs, career aspirations, significant traumas…anything that may affect how you make decisions together later on."

– AwkwardFortuneCookie

Outdated Notions

"My parents were like this. Dad grew up in a standard midcentury 'men run the house, women stay in the kitchen' family, but Mom came from a long line of domineering southern matriarchs who had their husbands whipped. Dad was naturally a good cook and Mom hated cooking, but once they got married, Dad insisted she make all the food because that's what wives are supposed to do. No warning, total 180 on their relationship up to that point."

"He's learned his lesson and now happily cooks for my stepmom, but man... That's not something you can just spring on your new spouse overnight!"

– shebbsquids

What About Kids

"Having kids is a really big question that absolutely needs to be communicated. I've also heard that it's a topic that would make the man a big red flag if asked early into the 'relationship' as in first date and/or texts are off limits."

"Wouldnt it be a lot nicer to 'speed date' these big topics early on?"

– Leaping_Turtle

These Redditors realized ignorance of financial responsibility in a relationship came at a cost.

Finances

"Finance is the number 1 leading cause of divorce."

"Edit: this popped up in my YouTube recommendation (Is your relationship struggling because of finance? - Dave Ramsey https://youtu.be/XuU7oabGqjk). Google is not monitoring us or anything"

– strangemanornot

Spending Habits

"This is such a big issue in relationships. Knowing each other's spending habits is equally important. My ex would be extremely judgmental when it came to my 'fun money', but when he bought a new TV or a new gaming console, he was not to be questioned on it."

– RewardNo3000

You can't change people.

Fixing Their Flaws

"Thinking, 'I know this person has flaws, but when we're married I can help fix them.'"

– DoctorExtra9060

"Ok marriage isn’t working but if we have kids things will change because it will bring us closer."

– Mrepman81

Parasitic Love

"I personally had this issue dating someone who was as sweet as could be, but not the brightest bulb in the socket, and they relied on me for knowledge on everything from health to history to housework. All perfectly googleable or troubleshootable questions, but always defaulted to giving up and asking mommy the girlfriend for help. Admittedly it was kind of an ego boost to have someone always telling me how smart I was and deferring to my judgement on everything, but that's not what a healthy romantic relationship should be like."

"I thought I could nudge them gently into being slightly more self sufficient, but it only got worse as they grew accustomed to relying on me for every little thing. And of course the flip side was I felt like I could never rely on them when I needed help... I knew I was SOL if I couldn't do everything myself, because I was dragging around a parasite instead of a partner."

"Next time I want to spend years working on a fixer-upper, I'm just going to buy a crumbling Victorian house. It'll cause me less stress in the long run."

– shebbsquids

Taking An Emotional Toll

"I was in a similar boat with an ex, wasn't so much her fault as she had a learning disability and epilepsy."

"Every other weekend we also looked after her kids from past relationships, one of which had autism, and due to my ex's condition she wasn't allowed to be on her own with the kids meaning I had to be there as the capable, responsible adult."

"We were together for just shy of 4 years."

"After she broke things off it took a good few months for me to get used to the fact that I could actually let my guard down, switch my brain off and relax. Without needing to constantly worry that someone would need my help or that I needed to ensure her safety."

"She didn't quite realise the toll it was having on me or the amount of responsibility was on my shoulders. She would constantly suggest things like holidays abroad with just us two and the kids, and all I could think was that it would be far from a relaxing holiday for me as I'd have her and two kids to look after and be responsible for the entire time."

– ShadowSurgeGaming

Managing expectations is key.

Never Settle

"Choosing someone they think they should be with instead of someone they're actually compatible with."

"I feel a lot of people have a picture in their head of who they think they'll end up with and chase that ideal, instead of acknowledging their own personality and aiming for someone compatible with that. Easier said than done, but yeah."

– Viminia7 ·

Importance Of Value

"I talk with my partner about this all the time. We think its important to have shared values not shared interests."

"Yes it’s important to share things you both like to do, but just because your partner likes One Punch Man, like you do, doesn’t mean they are on the same page as you with resolving conflicts."

– scsm

Elvis Presley reminded us that only fools rush in, despite his intense romantic feelings towards his object of affection.

But the wise men he was referring to were on to something.

It's best to ease into things and let love grow, and not force relationships without really getting to know the person with whom you plan to devote yourself to.

If it's meant to be, it'll be worth taking things slow by getting to know a prospective significant other's dreams, what makes them, and their values to see if there is enough chemistry to develop meaningful relationships.