For many, the American dream includes a home, children, and maybe a dog -- and that’s a beautiful vision (one we share, too!). But too often, once a couple begins dating, that dream turns into a mad dash. Slow down. Be fully present. Take the time to truly know and appreciate each another before adding the weight of a mortgage or the demands of parenting. That time will come. Relationships are not linear and meant to follow a rigid checklist. God invites us to find joy and purpose in every season, not just the “destination.” Right now, we have the freedom to open our home regularly, serve others, and, honestly, just enjoy life together. The pressure to hit milestones by a certain timeline -- whether you’re single or married -- is a product of culture, not God’s design.