My mother told me "When you're contemplating marrying someone ask yourself if that's the person you want by your side when you find out your child isn't perfect, or when you lose a loved one. Is that the person you want with you when you're really struggling? Because life is full of struggles, and you need someone who has your back". As it turns out her mother gave her that advice, it's how she picked my dad, and they've been happily married for 28 years.