Preparing for major life changes

It's true: If you get engaged, your life will never be the same. Knowing the changes you'll be making, and knowing you're ready and willing to handle them, is crucial to knowing the time is right to propose. First comes the stress of planning a wedding -- a major, though temporary, change all its own.

"Wait a minute," you say. "Isn't planning a wedding the girl's job?"

Um, no. We'll pretend you didn't say that.

Make no mistake, though: Planning a wedding will take a lot out of you, no matter your level of involvement. For instance, you're going to need to book a band or a DJ. Easy enough, right? How could it be any more difficult than buying a boom box? Well, don't forget about finding a catering hall, or possibly a caterer, as well as a florist, a photographer, and so on. Oh, and you'll have to make a guest list. And it won't be easy. And you'll get into fights over it. And a few months later, you'll get into more. All for a four or five hour event!

Which isn't to say that you won't have fun. You will. And, ultimately, this stress will be worth it. But rest assured, there will be stress. Soon you'll find your to-do list has the regenerative powers of a worm or a starfish. Just when you think you're done