While "character" may not sound romantic, it is the foundation for a romantic and fulfilling relationship. Why? Character is one of the most important elements to consider when you date an individual.

It is very unwise, and even dangerous, to rush into an emotional and physical relationship without first getting to know an individual. You must know the character of a person before you ever become romantically involved.

The character of the person you are involved with could mean the difference between experiencing peace or strife, prosperity or poverty, and safety or destruction in your life together.

What attracted me most to my husband was his character. I met Creflo while we were attending West Georgia College. In the middle of of all the drinking, smoking, partying and good times that go on at a college campus, he was more concerned about the things of God and the weekly campus Bible study he was teaching.

He was a young man who dared to be different while everyone else was doing his or her own thing. Of course I was attracted to how handsome he was, but watching him teach the Word of God with such passion said a lot about who he was as a man. His character stood out above everything else.

Character is "the willingness to do right when you have the opportunity to do wrong." Creflo could have been a hypocrite by doing what everyone else was doing and still trying to preach the Word, but he didn't.

Instead, he chose to be the exception. This enabled me to see firsthand how he would handle adversity and protect what was precious to him. I listened to how carefully he taught the Bible studies, and by his actions outside of the group, I knew that integrity was a priority in his life.

Seeing these principles in Creflo helped me to decide that he was someone I wanted to know on a more personal level. So one day after a Bible study session, I walked up to him and basically said, "Hello. My name is Taffi Bolton, and I would like to get to know you better."

Then I left without saying anything else to him. I decided that he would have to make the next move—it was enough that I let him know I was interested! It took a little while, but Creflo finally asked me out—after he saw me with the good-looking guys I had been taking to the Bible studies!

We went out and had a great time, but only because the pressure to impress was not there. We were both content in our singleness and strong in character, and accepted each other as we were, without any tricks, boasts or false impressions.

A lot of wasted time and disappointment could be avoided if couples would only take the time to first see what a person looks like on the inside!

Source: The Successful Family by Creflo and Taffi Dollar
Excerpt permission granted by Creflo Dollar Ministries