You might be curious to know when the time is right to get engaged. Either you have been dating officially for a few months or even some years now and still be bothered by this question.
You might start feeling pressured like Yemi Alade in her ‘when you go marry me’ song back then in 2015 when people you know haven’t been dating as long as you have been get engaged sooner.
However, experts agree that there is no magic number. There are some couples who know on the first date that they’ve found the one and get engaged quickly, while others take the time to get to know someone well before putting a ring on it.
I believe a couple should go through all seasons together at the very least meaning at least a year so that they surpass the honeymoon stage before determining whether or not to stay together for life.
When your relationship is brand new, you haven’t gone through most issues on the road together, traveled together, or gone through a traumatic event such as the death of a family member or loss of a job.
Each couple is different depending on age and circumstances, but a reasonable amount of time to be engaged is one to three years.
Research supports this theory. One study found that couples who’d been together at least three years before they got engaged were 39 percent less likely to get divorced than couples who got engaged within the first year of dating.
Clearly, time is on a couple’s side when it comes to the longevity of their marriage. But experts agree, there’s more to a happy marriage than just years spent together. Below are the aspects of a relationship that matter the most when determining whether a future marriage will last.
Couples that have the tools to address the inevitable challenges marriage presents will not only be able to stay together but enjoy themselves more. How a couple resolves their disagreements is one of the biggest factors in determining whether or not they will be able to resolve issues in their marriage.
Your Shared Interests and Values
While couples don’t have to have all the same interests, they should share some, as well as a shared value system. This includes being on the same page in regards to what family means to you, spiritual beliefs, etc.
How You Handle Finances
The manner in which you and your significant other are able to save, spend, and handle bills is another important factor. Many marriages dissolve due to financial problems, so having a savings and retirement plan from the onset is critical for a successful marriage.
Your Level of Sexual Satisfaction
Experts agree that a healthy and active sex life is an integral part of a happy and healthy marriage at any age. Married couples who make the effort to keep their sex life good are likely to enjoy greater relationship satisfaction.
How You Balance Work and Family Life
Ensuring that both of you make your marriage and family life a priority over work is another key to a happy, long marriage. More often than not, a marriage has two working spouses to keep up with living expenses. If one of you decides to be the breadwinner, while the other watches the household and children, take the time to discuss how you will spend your time when you’re not working.
IN CONCLUSION
In conclusion, marriage is hard work. Of course, the success of a marriage shouldn’t be measured in terms of time, the same effort has to be invested if two people intend to stay married for life. So, don’t think about the length of time before getting engaged but more on your compatibility with the person you want to get engaged to. Love and light, Wonder.
