There was a time when courtship and marriage went together like movie previews and the main attraction. But as Western society has evolved, the formal practice of a suitor proving his worth to a lady/her family has largely disappeared. Most regard dating as the courtship period, but only after a couple actually gets engaged.
The time between dating and getting married varies for everyone. Some are so smitten they get married within the first year of dating while others need years of lead time. In a study, Ted Hutson, a Ph.D professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin found that happily married couples dated an average of 25 months.
Source: lanomanland.blogspot.com
Couples like these celebrities go above and beyond, taking the waiting game to 5 years and then some.
Prince William and Kate
William held out eight years before even popping the question to Kate, earning her the nickname “Waity Katie” across the UK. Women everywhere were shaking their heads at how long she was willing to be a girlfriend.
Mario Lopez and Ali Landry
Mario and Ali prove that a long courtship don’t mean diddly in Hollywood. Mario held out six years only to prove he didn’t want it after all, cheating on Ali within days of the marriage. Two weeks later, it was all over.
Brooke Burke and David Chavret
Brooke and David dated for a year and were and engaged for another five years before finally saying “I do” in 2011. But they sure didn’t wait on making babies.
Alicia Silverstone and Chris Jarecki
Source: bellyitchblog.com
Alicia and rocker hubby Chris Jarecki seem to have a knack for waiting until the right time. They met and began dating in 1997 and waited eight years before getting hitched. Six years later, they had their first child.
Jay-Z and Beyonce
In a land where the likes of J-Lo, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna scoop up men to pass the time, Jay-Z’s courtship to Beyonce will always be legendary because it’s clear who snatched who up in their 6 year rise to the top of the marriage charts. Hov. Exactly.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
Source: Celebrity Couples Online
America’s most lovable actor, Tom Hanks, didn’t even get “serious” with Rita five years after they began “dating.” He finally put a ring on it three years later in 1988. Total wait time: 8 years. Gotta love that.
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