Jay
Age: 27
Occupation: Inside Sales Rep

Marsha
Age: 26
Occupation: Human Resources Recruiter

Both Marsha and Jay have a musical streak: she loves to sing while getting dressed, and he raps about himself in front of the mirror. But is that all it will take for this ambitious, career-minded couple to live harmoniously? Jay has a young daughter from a previous relationship, and while the couple does not live together, coping with the implications of a ready-made family has been a major challenge to overcome in their two-plus years together. They want children of their own, and Marsha – who comes from a strict, “old-fashioned” background – would enjoy being a stay-at-home mother. That’s fine by Jay, who envisions himself as the family breadwinner. And although Marsha tends to look at Jay as a father figure, she would prefer if Jay didn’t shut down conversations without her having a say.

Tracy
Age: 33
Occupation: Art Director

Jimmy
Age: 38
Occupation: Print Buyer

Is there a “baby bomb” lurking in the future for Tracy and Jimmy? She definitely wants at least one child, but Jimmy enjoys his “freedom” – and at 39, he wonders if he’s too old to become a first-time father. This isn’t the only contrast between them, either. Tracy comes from a close-knit family that works out its issues through discussion. Jimmy’s parents, on the other hand, separated when he was a teenager, and he admits now to taking a “passive-aggressive” approach when conflicts arise. Tracy is ambitious, Jimmy is a lot more laid-back about his career. And while her leisure-time tastes lean toward camping and other outdoor activities, he prefers music, art and literature. Still, they have things in common, too. They’re both pretty stubborn. And they both believe a sense of humour is crucial to a relationship. “Jimmy thinks he’s hilarious,” she says. “And Tracy steals all my good material,” he chimes in.

Anita
Age: 29
Occupation: Web CM Specialist

Kune
Age: 28
Occupation: Marketing Manager

A union of West and East, Anita and Kune come from sharply contrasting families. Hers: loud, boisterous and prone to working out differences with shouting matches and wild gesticulation. His: quiet and reserved, with a habit of bottling up tension. Anita, who dreams of one day starting a pet boutique, is easily stressed out. Kune, for his part, is a workaholic who seems surgically attached to his laptop. He’s a little on the messy side, too – something that constantly provokes Anita’s inner neat freak. But it’s his communications skills that really need work. They know they have trouble communicating and desperately want help before the problem damages their relationship. Anita and Kune both want children and are very much in love. But will that be enough? “Are we strong enough to conquer all of the heavy stuff that may come our way?” she wonders.