Are you there yet? Completed the non-negotiable, God-breathed decree of all that must be achieved before you are Ready For Marriage™? Contents vary by individual but these spiritually-infallible checklists often include… Reaching a particular age, and a certain point in your education or career, probably earning a certain amount; undertaking travel / obscure mission trips while still responsibility-free; being ready to ‘settle down’ and become a parent at a designated future point (or NOW depending on biological clock); drawing up a list of stringent requirements for your future partner (because, y’know, desires of your heart and all that) and submitting said list to God while reminding him of it on a weekly / daily / hourly basis (no comment). All done? You, my friend, are the finished article, materially, spiritually and emotionally. You’re READY. Bring on Mr / Miss Godly Spouse. It’s time to crack open Song of Songs.

First up, a confession: I was once a junior chess champion. I even got a medal for it. So there’s nothing wrong with joining a chess club to find a date.

Online dating can be a great way of meeting new people, especially if your lifestyle limits opportunities. I remember how excited I was the first time I joined an online dating site. With all the pool of available men, I thought that perhaps it would be only a short time before I was in the early stage of a new romance!

‘Dear HopefulGirl,’ said the email. ‘I’m in your city next week for work – let’s meet up. How can we not? We’ve been corresponding for longer than some people are married!’

From a Christian point of view I’ve seen lots of different types of relationships lived out before my eyes: the good, the bad and the ugly. One of the biggest things that I’ve noticed is that friendship is absolutely pivotal to decision making when it comes to relationships.