5 Signs You’re Ready to get Engaged

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many people will think about the possibility of getting engaged. In 2012, nearly four million people took the leap toward getting married. If you’re in a committed relationship and know you want to get married someday, you may wonder how on earth you’ll know when the time has come or if you have truly found “the one”. Instead of spending this lovers’ holiday in a state of nervousness or confusion, check out these five signs to see if you’re ready to get engaged. A life-changing decision as big as this one deserves 100 percent certainty.

1. Your Little Black Book is Lost and You Don’t Care. Your little black book used to be a constant companion. But now the soft leather and yellow-edged pages are all but a memory. One day you realized you didn't need your little black book anymore, and it hasn't been seen since. The best part about it is that you don’t miss your former companion, nor are you worried about having other options.
2. Life Together Doesn't Have to be Exciting to be Special. The initial weeks and months in a new dating relationship can be very exciting and that excitement spurs you on to schedule more dates. But as you settle into a relationship that goes beyond just dating, you’ll eventually find that you’re okay with the mundane moments. When sharing these simple, boring moments becomes an important part of your relationship, you know you have found someone special.
3. You Bring Out the Best in Each Other. We all want to be the best we can possibly be. When you’re with a partner that encourages you to do and be your best, somehow it becomes easier and more important to do so.
4. There Are No Off-Limits Topics. Open, honest communication is one of the cornerstones of strong relationship. There are no off-limits topics with your sweetheart and, even though you don’t agree on everything, you respect one another enough to see each other’s point-of-view and make an effort to compromise. Doing so helps you learn more about yourselves as individuals and as a couple.
5. Long-Term Plans and Discussions Occur Regularly. When phrases such as “next year” or “someday let’s do…” regularly enter your conversations, you have clearly begun thinking long-term whether you realize it or not. It’s doubtful that you’d make long-range plans with someone you weren't sure you wanted to be with.

Entering the commitment of marriage is a huge step, but it’s a decision that can add a great deal to your life. If you have a lot of doubts, you’re probably not ready to pop the question. But if the advantages far outweigh the natural concerns brought on by cold feet, you’d be foolish to not take the next step in cementing a future with the one you love. Use these five tips to assess your readiness for proposing and starting the next chapter of your life together.