Ways To Tell If Someone Is Thinking About Marrying You
Every couple's relationship dynamic is different, meaning that there's no exact science or timeline to suggest when to pop the big question. Some people prefer to wait until they're in a financially stable enough place to have the wedding and home of their dreams. On the other hand, some couples jump headfirst into marriage early on in their relationship with confidence and determination.
Even though there's no definitive answer for how long you should wait for someone to ask you to walk down the aisle, there are some helpful hints and clues that can help you determine if you're ready:
You Have Plans For The Future Together
It could be something as easy as a "save the date" for a friend's wedding, tickets to a concert a few months away, or a planned trip/date of some kind.
Making any sort of concrete plans for the future reinforces that your partner has a longer-term commitment in mind. Also, it shows that they can see themselves looking forward to doing activities with you in the future.
You're Comfortable Around Their Family
Let's face it, once you're in with the family, you've beaten the final boss. The family of your long-term partner can have a huge impact on various aspects of your future together.
When you feel comfortable enough around your partner's family to hang out with them even when your partner is absent, it's a strong sign that the next step is to join the family through marriage.
You're Living Together Or Making Plans To Move In Together
One of the most obvious big steps in a relationship is the pivotal moment of "moving in together" where couples make the important decision to collide their home lives and experience living together for a while before they decide to tie the knot.
While it used to be a lot more common to move in with your SO after getting married, it's becoming increasingly popular to try it out before you say "I do" and make sure, you know, you can stand one another after the first few months.
You Can Spend Some Time Without Each Other Now And Then
Of course, it's not ideal to be apart from your partner for long periods of time, but it certainly is healthy to take breaks from one another and maintain a separate social life from your relationship.
When you have security in your relationship, you have the confidence to go a few days or nights without constantly feeling the need to check in on one another. Communication (and knowing when it's okay to limit it) is a significant part of a mature, functioning relationship.
You Care About One Another's Opinions
When you get to a point in your relationship where your SO's opinion seems like the only one that really matters in the world, it's a respectful mutual feeling that can help you navigate tough decisions. This is an indication that your relationship is truly valuable to both of you.
Especially when it comes to men, who have a reputation for being hard-headed decision-makers. If a man asks for your opinion, and truly values it, that's a sign that he's ready to make the next commitment.
You Have Accepted Each Other's Pasts
It's absolutely impossible to move forward in your relationship if one or both parties keeps glancing backward into the murky past. Digging up old skeletons and past mistakes is one of the most toxic relationship traits there is, and it's really hard to break if it's already started.
If your partner can't get over something years later, it's possible they may never want to. When couples are able to see one another as more than a compilation of their past decisions, they're able to build a solid foundation of trust and acceptance.
You've Survived Hard Times And Rough Patches Together
What doesn't kill you definitely makes you stronger. It's a little bit easier to navigate the ultra shitty parts of life if you have somebody who loves you helping you through it.
If your person has stuck around after your lowest lows and helped pick you up when you were down, it usually means they're in it for the long haul. People have their own problems to deal with, so taking yours on is a definite sign they're trying to lock you down.
You Are Comfortable Sharing Your Posessions
"Mi casa es su casa" but more intense. Basically, the "what's mine is yours" mentality has settled into place in your relationship and you feel comfortable sharing essential things like food, drinks, socks/pajamas, shower supplies, your pillows, and even car and house keys.
The open sharing of possessions is a surefire sign there's a wedding aisle in the future.
You Make Efforts To Help The Other Person Feel Happy And Appreciated
Little gestures of kindness and appreciation go a long way in a relationship. If your SO goes out of their way to make sure that you constantly feel valued and recognized, they're laying the groundwork for a long future together.
Things like putting gas in your car, making meals, showing up for you, leaving notes, or even just doing the dishes are all acts of love that suggest your partner is trying their best to keep you around.
You Can Laugh At Each Other's Mishaps
Being able to laugh off the silly parts of life and find humor in the chaos is a staple of a healthy relationship.
If you can laugh at one another's misadventures or faults without feeling self-conscious, ridiculed, or embarrassed, that means you have a strong bond with your person—one that will predictably grow with the journey through marriage.
