This may not be a popular opinion, but I feel sad when I hear how many of my friends seem to think their relationship is somehow not “valid enough” unless they are engaged or married.
Don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly believe in marriage and I would not entertain a relationship unless it was leading to marriage. But so many people seem to define their worth as a partner by their status of girlfriend-fiancee-wife.
I consider myself so blessed to be with my partner, I would never think “I am just his girlfriend, therefore he does not love me enough to make me more than this.” I know I am exclusively and absolutely loved, regardless of the label society is able to put onto me.
My partner and I are getting married in 6 months and have everything planned and paid for, without there being a proposal… we just planned it because it made sense.
A proposal is not important to me, but he quite fancies the idea, so there may still be a proposal one day. He says he might get round to it after the wedding, or the day before just to make sure, and it is a source of never-ending jokes between us.
How to feel patient about getting engaged
Yes, it is wonderful to plan a wedding and look forward to the future, but please do not miss the NOW!
Your relationship with your partner has to be healthy in the NOW, and if you both know you are heading for marriage then great, and that is all that matters — being with the person you love, whether this is as a girlfriend, fiancee or spouse.
Enjoy what you have now, don't back yourself or your partner into the wedding corner. Do not force a future to happen on your own terms!
If your partner is the right person for you, trust in their love… and the future will happen naturally.
There’s nothing wrong with being someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend. The relationship shouldn’t change just because the title changes, the responsibilities remain the same. And above all, make sure you’re getting married for yourself and your partner, no one else.
I told myself this…And then seven years went by and it turned out I was being mislead and marriage was never an option. Be careful with your heart. If there are any red flags at all, even the smallest of them, don’t make excuses for the person. You deserve better.