The things I've learnt...

1) Never get married before your relationship is at least 2 years old... There are so many things to learn about the person you are inlove with, and this takes time. We never show absolutely everything about ourselves to our love interest in the first months, but these are things that we want to know about them and they about us. Get to know each other. Spend time together and apart. It is not as easy as it sounds to get a divorce...even if you don't have children.

2) Don't expect that you will never change. Women change...over time they evolve into beings quite different to the giggling teenager or the young twenty-something. Get to know yourself a little before you take that huge plunge and make sure that the person you are with is ready for the changes to come. If he really is the right man he will be patient and wait until you are ready to spend a lifetime with him, and he will love the woman you grow into. Young love is fickle...but it NEVER feels that way when you are in the middle of it.

3) Don't expect that you can change the things you dislike about your man...because, for the most part, these things are there to stay. Men don't change. And if you try to force it upon them they are as stubborn as mules and simply won't budge. Make sure that these little things that irritate you are not the deal breakers that'll cost you your relationship later on. If you really cannot live with certain things about him, or habits that he has...it is time to move on. No, it's not selfish! It is realistic. 

4) Never think that the first real marraige proposal you get is going to be the ONLY one you ever get and therefore settle for a less than ideal relationship.  You can NEVER get your wasted years back!