Proposing to your sweetheart is a big step. It’s normal to be unsure about whether you’re ready for a lifelong commitment. The great news is that there are ways to know if you’re ready well before the day you ask your partner to marry you. In doing some thinking and a little experimenting, you might be surprised to learn that you already know the answer to the burning question on your mind. If you’re confused about if you’re ready to propose, read on for ways to know.
Window Shopping for Engagement Rings
Nothing says you can’t do a little experimenting. Sometimes, things feel more real when they’re right in front of us. For this reason, it’s always a great idea to do a little window shopping before taking a plunge and buying the first engagement ring that catches your eye. Start with browsing the internet the same way you might a fine jewelry store or mall. If you’re not sure whether you’re ready to propose, take a breath and start with a Google search like ‘diamond engagement rings northern Virginia‘ or wherever you live.
After looking around at custom designs, the perfect engagement rings, and even wedding bands, take a deep breath and give yourself a week or so to see how you feel. Do you find yourself anxious to get to a jewelry store? Are you constantly going back to that online jeweler to look at the ring again? Are you excited about the prospect of how and when you might prose or are you terrified about a lifelong commitment?
Having an Honest Conversation with Yourself
Marriage is about a lot more than the perfect diamond ring or the sparkle in her eyes when you pop the question. As you’re trying to make your decision about taking your relationship to the next level, consider trust. Ask yourself how long you and your partner have been together, how well you know each other and what areas you need to work on. What are your mutual interests and hobbies, and can you see yourself happy with your partner forever?
Maybe there’s no one else quite like her. Perhaps the two of you share quirky habits like looking for unconventional ways to find people who are in hiding, ghost hunting, or researching aliens. If you can’t picture your life with anyone else who’d understand your quirks, it’s something to think about.
Talking to Your Partner
Once you have a good idea where you stand, be brave enough to have a conversation with your partner about how they view your relationship. Talk about what you do best as a couple and areas you could stand to work on. While you don’t need to overtly ask what your partner would say if you asked the question, you’ll likely be able to get a good idea where they stand from an honest conversation.
Talk about long term goals with your sweetheart. Make sure there aren’t any dealbreakers. Maybe one of you wants children and the other doesn’t. Perhaps you could never agree on the right location to live in. Do you share the same vision of the future or are there differences? Where could compromises be made and not?
If you’re like most, you’ve likely had many of these conversations already. Take a step back and look at the big picture before you propose. Ready or not, with a proposal on your mind, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath before making any major steps toward popping the question. Before you order that custom engagement ring, the first thing you should is have a final honest conversation with yourself and your partner. With some deliberate thinking and communicating, you might just find out you’re closer to your answer than you currently know. Best of luck in your decision, and don’t forget to trust yourself.
