I'd rather marry a doctor and let him have a mistress on the side if that means not having to worry about money. I know my husband appreciates me looking into it because he knows I am doing it to gain an understanding into the culture he was raised in. I married a non-member over 20 years ago. The most important thing is an open dialogue, as you say, and utmost respect for the other person. Once you both die, you will not be married in the afterlife and she will get assigned to be the polygamous wife of someone else. Is it really worth it to give up what I want out of a relationship because its hard to balance studying which I understand is stressful and being with the person who makes you happy.
We all know people who know that the gospel is true but they will not accept it. We'll discuss further after the holiday and see where we end up. But realistically, if she is not open minded enough to even listen to someone who has a contrasting view of the church - how will she not continually discount you and your lack of beliefs. So if you are caffeine junky, be sure that you can adjust to and accept your date's beliefs before going on a date. Before I proposed, I actually broke up with my partner for a month в mostly due to family pressure. Having to be on your own on holidays is really difficult, and no one understands that "isn't your husband here. It sounds like you unfortunately ran into this guy at the wrong point in life.
Even without temple covenants marriage is a noble and worthy institution. You will desire to have that eternal marriage, to have that support in taking kids to church, to be able to talk docterine with a like-minded individual. I feel I have given a lot of myself and in the process have lost myself and my identity. There was a decrease in pay but an increase in our quality of life already. I I must also say that some of them truly do have affairs even wit the best of spouses. Don't have any support as family is too far away and we're always on the move.
When my husband and I were sealed, I finally understood why my Dad had been stressing this to me my entire life. She will be oh-so-grateful if you do not pressure her to discard those values. Indeed, it is the loneliness and the lack of time to have intimacy or feel connected with one another that scares me for our future. Like you I grew up with and taught the standard LDS beliefs about temple marriage, celestial kingdom, etc. It is not easy for a nonmember spouse to understand a three hour worship block plus callings etc. So that's something I can't say is good or bad. If you feel peaceful with your decision and you feel it is right that should be helpful. She will want her kids blessed, baptized, taking temple trips to baptize for the dead, hold the priesthood, a bishop will ask you sons and daughters if they masterbate and punish them if they do, etc. However, you might be lucky to not have the experience I did.