Edit: “getting closer to marriage” is about the whole journey starting from being completely single
Edit: if this shower thought is too confusing to be useful to you, then here is a quote that gives some of the same guidance, is simpler, less philosophical, but less broad: “Don’t waste your time chasing butterflies. Mend your garden, and the butterflies will come” - Mario Quintana
My idea might make more sense if you don’t think of it as being connected to intentions. Also, it fails to describe what comes after marriage is reached.
With that being said, I am not totally certain of how true my idea is.