Timing is everything! Whether you have a relationship of years’ standing or a love-at-first-sight whirlwind, there are some things you might want to consider if you think it’s time.
Are You Open About Your Finances? If one or both of you is deeply in debt, money (or your lack thereof) could be an immediate source of conflict in your marriage. You don’t need to know each other’s salaries to the dime, but if you’re open about your savings, you‘ll avoid any “you owe a bookie how much?” moments.
Have You Met Your Pre-Marriage Milestones? A big professional advance, a purchase of a home, reached a certain career level…your relationship is just like anything else you’ve worked hard toward, and the payoff is equally as rewarding.
Have You Discussed Your Futures? If you and your girlfriend speak naturally and sincerely about your future together (even if you’re not sure where you’ll be or what you’ll be doing), that confidence bodes well for your relationship.
Is She Aware of Your Ambitions? Everyone has ambitions, but make sure your aspirations don’t conflict with those of your girlfriend. This might also include expectations for rearing a family or not.
Are Your Friends Also Her Fans? Regardless of the root of their disdain, a relationship becomes tough when your friends don’t want anything to do with your girlfriend. If your buddies have given her a resounding thumbs-up, you can rest easy knowing you won’t have to spend your life choosing between her and them.
Will She Say “Yes”…for the Right Reasons? If you feel the chance of your girlfriend accepting your proposal is iffy, it’s probably not the right time to ask! If the ups and downs of your relationship have left you dizzy, don’t try to steady the ship by asking her to marry you. Ask her to marry you when you know you’re both on the same page about spending your lives together, not when you’re trying to salvage a relationship gone awry.
Is She Dropping Hints? Has a Ready to Propose magnet appeared on your refrigerator? Does the subject of cushion-cut diamonds recur? Her mind is on marriage, and she’s feeling out whether you’re ready. If your instinct is to change the subject or shrug off the idea of an engagement entirely, it’s not the time.
But if the idea of marrying your girlfriend excites you, it’s time to start brainstorming proposal ideas, and Ready to Propose is the place to start…
* Adapted from www.theknot.com
