4 Signs Your Relationship Is Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Marriage

Getting married is a big step. Even if you’ve been with your partner for quite some time, you might not necessarily know if you’re ready to take that step. Fortunately, though, there are some signs that you might be more ready than you think. Below are four signs that you might want to seriously start thinking about formalizing your commitment.

You Make the Big Decisions Together

One of the big signs that you are ready to get married is the fact that you’re already making big life decisions with the other person. This is bigger than just moving in with someone—you’re at the point at which you are starting to base your long-term future on the other person’s wants and needs. If you and your partner are building a future, marriage is a logical next step.

You’ve Had the Big Conversations

There are big conversations that you must have in a relationship if it’s going to last. Those couples who have already had them are well on their way to looking at engagement rings. If you have talked with one another about your values, your plans, and what you expect out of a relationship, it might be time to start thinking about what comes next. Remember that it’s important to discuss things like having children, financial responsibility, moving plans, etc. before you tie the knot.

You Know How Conflict Works

Every couple has fought. The couples who are best equipped for marriage are those who know how to have arguments that don’t pass certain boundaries and that lead to constructive ends. If you have already weathered the storms with your partner and you understand how to resolve conflicts in an amicable manner, you’ve set up a great foundation for a marriage.

You’ve Figured Out What You Want

The final step has nothing to do with your partner and everything to do with you. If you’ve done your soul-searching and you realize that you’re actually ready for marriage, its’ a good idea to assess if your relationship is at the same point. While there are dozens of signs that can show you that you are compatible with someone, the most important is a willingness to commit. If you get to the point at which you realize you want to get married, popping the question may not be in the far future.

If you are considering marriage, it’s time to have a frank discussion with your partner. That doesn’t mean you have to go ring shopping quite yet, but it does mean that you need to broach the subject. Once the two of you are on the same page, you can make decisions about how to move forward.