Some of the best thoughts on dating and marriage I heard from Fr Kenneth Novak 20 years ago.
1). When should a young person start dating? Well, what is the purpose of dating? To find a spouse. When should you be looking for a spouse? When you have the financial and emotional means to support a family. He said too many parents encourage their children to “date” when they are mere teenagers only to introduce passions and emotions that such young people are not spiritually, physically, of economically able to handle. This is why even traditional Catholic marriages are often disordered.
2) Shouldn’t a marriage be 50/50? No! A marriage must be 110/110…because we are all expected to give 100% but sometimes…SOMETIMES…our spouse has reasons they just can’t give a 100%, that’s when we have to hanker down and muster up a little extra to make up the difference. Marriage is not easy period. You have to want to make it work. If one or two people are only willing to put in 50%, that marriage is doomed before it even starts.
3). Most marriages fail due to “self pity”…my spouse isn’t treating me the way I feel I deserve or isn’t doing things or buy things or taking me places…etc.
⬆️ Just some food for thought
You are not wrong in wanting a spouse who takes care of themselves, works out, exercises etc… I just spoke to a 27 year old young woman who said the same thing…you are not alone. We are all expected to take care of the body God gave us. All things in their proper order.
Good luck in all you do. I will remember you in my next Rosary!