Time for the Engagement Ring - But are You Ready?

You have lived in a steady relationship with the same woman for many years now. You both know that this certainly isn't some teen fling anymore, and your girlfriend have been implying (like only women can do) that perhaps you should get married. Although you are comfortable with the relationship, marriage is an entirely new concept for you - a slightly scary one at that.

Before you get down on one knee, holding that small box in your trembling hands, you should ask yourself if you are indeed ready for this life-altering step. Although I am writing about this from a masculine point of view, it is equally healthy questions for women to ask themselves.

Passing the first few tests

The first thing that you need to consider is your financial situation. Are you in the career that you would like to be in? If you are, you need to think about where you would like to be financially be say, five years from now. If you are truly ready to give your girlfriend an engagement ring, that five-year view will include having a nice home and starting a family.

The next thing that you need to think about is whether or not you have some unresolved issues within yourself when it comes to relationships. Think about the past relationships that you have had and the reasons for them ending.

Are you with your current girlfriend because you are afraid of being single? If you think you might be, you should wait before you give your girlfriend the engagement ring.

How long have you and your girlfriend been together? Have you been together for so long that your friends and family refer to you two as being married already? If this is the case, you really need to think about getting your girlfriend that engagement ring. After all, if you have been together for that long, you know each other more than well enough!

There is another thing that you need to think of when it comes to figuring out whether or not you are ready to give that engagement ring. That is the issue of children.

Do either of you have children from a previous relationship? Or, do you have children together? If so, you owe it to your children to have the stability of knowing that they have parents that are married.

Although many couples nowadays are selecting to not get married, thinking of all the divorces that have been happening, think of it this way: by marrying the woman that you love, your are entitling her to benefits. These benefits include health benefits, which are very important, and of course you want her to have that insurance.

The above obviously makes no claim to be an exhaustive list, but nonetheless some important points to consider before you even start hunting for the perfect engagement ring. If the above questions pose no problems for you, you are in good shape - time to start planning a romantic proposal!