how many have a WAF?

JD, i can't answer that question. If you take into account all of the perks and benefits that my girlfriends' job offers, she makes more than i do !!!! As such, i still don't feel slighted by being forced to pay half the bills : )

As to your wedding, Congratulations !!! I am 38, never been married, etc... Like you, i have been with my girlfriend for 6 years. Right now, we feel no need to tie the not or go our separate ways, but you know how that goes. Things could go either way at the drop of a hat. While it is good that both of you are willing to make the commitment to see things through, i would discuss financial matters BEFORE you tie the not. I know that it's coming down to the wire, but better to have it out in the open than to have a lasting confrontation for the rest of your life. Sean

My wife and I have been together for 29 years (married for 19 years)—DINKS. Since day one, she knew how important music was to me. We both enjoy doing many activities together: backpacking, telemark skiing, whitewater canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, and exotic travel. We also have very separate interest in our professional lives. She's a samll animal veterinarian and I direct a few statewide projects in public health. Both professions provide us with a great deal of social interactions when we're not together. Most importantly, we try not to control each other. I know when she has made up her mind that something is important to her, I get out of the way, if I can't contribute. She does the same for me. The only time my music gets to her (WAF) is when she's had hectic day and comes home to "loud" music. Fortunately, we each have enough time at home alone to enjoy our individual interests. She works every other weekend at a live-in emergency vet clinic in San Francisco. So I get to crank-up the sounds. Financially, we have a budget that I never touch for my audio desires. I use money from consulting and travel reimbursements for my audio "slush" fund.

WAF means I have Revel F50's instead of Studios in the main system.

WAF is aided with speakers that have good off axis response` so that music can be enjoyed while attending to life's chores, and not only while un the sweet spot.

On our first dates, I tested my then-girlfriend-now-esposa's tolerance of music in all its worst guises: loud, eclectic, experimental, morning noon and night. She passed the hard tests with ease, so normal listening was a cakewalk.

If music is a huge part of your life, you owe it to yourself and your potential partner to do a thorough audition.

8 years, 1 wife, 1 child, 1 cat, 4 stereos (not including car).

We're in our mid-40's, semi-retired, with 2 dogs. Happy. Wouldn't have it any other way (but I was a very active, read successful, bachelor in my time).

On the hi-fi front my only limitations were that the money had to come out of a separate personal account (all our finances are co-mingled so the money came out my father's estate), I was not permitted to bring Nautilus 802s into the house (so I got 803s which she's more than happy with), and that the dogs would be able to stand the SPLs that sometimes eminate from the system (they leave to go somewhere peaceful).

We've only got one system, in the main living area. Guess what ? She's just redesigned our room and my new recliner made it to the prime listening position, while her's is in a slightly less advantageous setting. And she's going to get improved surround speakers, probably from shared funds, for my birthday. Find your own dream date ! Then marry her.

My wife has (since before I met her) five cats. That took some getting used to. My stereo took some getting used to for her (especially the Spica Angelus speakers). She always said that the cats filtered out the jerks (she observed her boyfriends' reactions to the cats). I think the stereo filters out the jerky women. Anyone who tries to stop you doing what you like to do is a manipulator ... the earlier you discover this the better. Better to be single than in a relationship with a manipulator.

We're very happy together ... I like most of her cats (I even change their litter on occasion) and she now enjoys a much broader range of music. Our daughter (8 months) seems to like the cats and music (though her musical tastes are show tunes and "the wiggles", not quite beethoven).

In summary married and happy ... but glad I didn't get married to some former girlfriends.