Knowing it's coming soon

ashleighpaige24

flygirlmeg

How do you know he'll buy it before Sunday?  Just because that's "the one" doesn't mean he's ready to buy it right now.  Even if he does buy it, it could me days, weeks, months, YEARS even before he proposes.  Trust me on this. 

SLOOOOOOW down.  Breathe.  Distract yourself with other things besides getting engaged (like those summer classes).  Avoid pinterest at all costs (the wedding pins can be overwhelming for a girl who's trying to avoid the BSC-iness plague).

My FI had the ring in the house for a month and a half before he proposed.  Yes, I was impatiently waiting.  But I also really wanted to be surprised with the HOW part of the proposal.  Turns out, I was completely surprised by the how and the when. 
There are other girls here who have been in exactly your position.  Or who's BFs still have the ring and there is no proposal in sight.  So focus on other things and DON'T start planning anything.  Seriously.

travelerkris

Hold on there just a sec... knowing that the ring you picked is on sale until Sunday doesn't mean he's actually going to buy it before Sunday.  Maybe he will, and that will be fantastic, but don't set yourself up for massive disappointment if he doesn't get it right this second.  It is probably better to be excited and hopeful, but not to be so sure that he's going to buy it right now.  Maybe he needs to save some more money?  Maybe he wants to talk to your Dad before he buys it?  Maybe he'll pick a different ring in a similar style, but have it made somewhere else or buy it on Blue Nile or something?  You just don't know.

As for the waiting knowing it is in the house (if and when you do)... yes, I couldn't sleep the night I knew he'd bought the ring.  I knew because he told me - he was very excited.  He took it on vacation with us the next day and proposed the first day of our vacation when we got to Italy.  It was surreal when I knew he had it and I hadn't seen it yet.  Very exciting.  And I guarded his bag like a hawk.  I had irrational fear of someone stealing the bag and my ring in it.  Which didn't happen.  Thank goodness!!! 

There are some girls on here who know/have known their fiances had the ring, but they still took six months to propose.  Wait it out by enjoying your relationship as it is now.  Get a hobby, see your friends, and then, when he proposes, you'll love the moment.  Good luck.

Peaseblossom55

I would really try to focus on where you are in the relationship right now. Meg is right, you don't know if he will buy the ring before Sunday, or when he will propose.  It may take awhile.

Keep busy with school, focus on hobbies but try not to think about.  Stick around here and tell us more about yourself!

ashleighpaige24

I guess we're unlike other couples.  We communicate about every little thing - we're both planners.  I was with him when he went to transfer the money for the ring from his savings into his checking.  He's told me over and over (before we found the ring) how he would be so heartbroken if he wasn't able to propose before the end of the year.  

He's been wanting to get married since 6 months into our relationship, it just took me longer to decide since I had been burned in my last relationship.  

We're on the fast track to marriage not because were rushing it, but because we know that we know this is it.  We want to be married by this time next year so I know it's not going to take him years.  

I love this man with all my heart, but waiting on forever is hard - even if it only ends up being a few weeks!

Swazzle

It's totally fine & great to be excited especially when you go shopping with your SO for your engagement ring & find one that you absolutely love. I was absolutely giddy & on cloud 9 through that whole process also! 

I will say, though, try not to get your hopes up on an upcoming proposal, though. He might not buy it before Sunday or he might buy it but then he might not propose for weeks or months. The more you think about it, the more you'll drive yourself (& probably him too) crazy. 

You guys looked together, he knows exactly what you like, & now you can just sit back & focus on your schoolwork. Pushing everything else in your life aside to daydream about it isn't going to make it happen any faster. 

lennonkdc

Try yoga, reading, anything. Yes, its exciting, I know. It only happens once, so try to enjoy dating, knowing that even if he buys the ring now, it could be a long time before he's ready to give it to you.

Swazzle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:a5339394-2a8a-43dc-ba7e-c535be4d061e">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I guess we're unlike other couples.  We communicate about every little thing - we're both planners.</strong>  I was with him when he went to transfer the money for the ring from his savings into his checking.  He's told me over and over (before we found the ring) how he would be so heartbroken if he wasn't able to propose before the end of the year.   He's been wanting to get married since 6 months into our relationship, it just took me longer to decide since I had been burned in my last relationship.   We're on the fast track to marriage not because were rushing it, but because we know that we know this is it.  We want to be married by this time next year so I know it's not going to take him years.   I love this man with all my heart, but waiting on forever is hard - even if it only ends up being a few weeks!
Posted by ashleighpaige24[/QUOTE]

<div>I assure you, you are not a special snowflake.</div>

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:a5339394-2a8a-43dc-ba7e-c535be4d061e">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I guess we're unlike other couples.  We communicate about every little thing - we're both planners.  </strong>I was with him when he went to transfer the money for the ring from his savings into his checking.  He's told me over and over (before we found the ring) how he would be so heartbroken if he wasn't able to propose before the end of the year.   He's been wanting to get married since 6 months into our relationship, it just took me longer to decide since I had been burned in my last relationship.   We're on the fast track to marriage not because were rushing it, but because we know that we know this is it.  We want to be married by this time next year so I know it's not going to take him years.   I love this man with all my heart, but waiting on forever is hard - even if it only ends up being a few weeks!
Posted by ashleighpaige24[/QUOTE]

The fact that you communicate doesn't really make you different.  I was involved in our engagement to the point of designing my own ring.  H never even had contact with the jeweler.  Did he still make me wait for the proposal?  Yep, almost 4 months.

Just because he's getting the ring by Sunday doesn't mean the proposal will be next week.  For your own sanity, try to take your mind off of it.

dewingedpixie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:a5339394-2a8a-43dc-ba7e-c535be4d061e">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]I guess we're unlike other couples.  We communicate about every little thing - we're both planners.  I was with him when he went to transfer the money for the ring from his savings into his checking.  He's told me over and over (before we found the ring) how he would be so heartbroken if he wasn't able to propose before the end of the year.   He's been wanting to get married since 6 months into our relationship, it just took me longer to decide since I had been burned in my last relationship.   We're on the fast track to marriage not because were rushing it, but because we know that we know this is it.  We want to be married by this time next year so I know it's not going to take him years.   I love this man with all my heart, but waiting on forever is hard - even if it only ends up being a few weeks!
Posted by ashleighpaige24[/QUOTE]

My fiance and I bought a stone for my ring in FEBRUARY. We sent the stone to be set at the end of MARCH! I bought my dress and we set a date in APRIL for our wedding. We also had a snafu with the ring in MAY and had to choose a SECOND STONE, although we picked the VENUE. The place making my ring BROKE the custom mold in JUNE and delayed the shipment due to having to recast molds. My FI freely calls me FI and we are going to a family reunion/wedding next week 3 states away, he bought something on an auction that I was originally going to pay for and he now wont let me or let me see it stating its better than in the photos and I'll see it soon for a very special occassion. I know the ring is to be shipped last week or this week. I declined seeing the cad drawings when he offered a MONTH back.  The expectation at the family reunion from everyone is they want to SEE our RING next WEEK! Do I have the ring? No! Am I worried about it? NO! If we dont have it on my hand next week do I care? NO! Why? Because he's already committed himself to me and that ring is just a thing. When he figures out when/how to present it itll be wonderful. I have everything I need that is him and his promise to marry me. Bottom line is this rings are expensive stuff happens in making them sometimes, and having a good relationship is more important than getting a thing.

travelerkris

Yes, as I pointed out above - I knew he bought the ring and brought it home because he told me.  He called me on his way home from the store.  And I knew when he'd purchased it because he told me two months before.  But my ring took several weeks to finish, because he didn't buy one that was already made.  So I knew that it was coming and we'd communicated just as you and your future husband have.

For me, it HELPED to know it was coming.  I wouldn't be waiting indefinitely - he'd chosen me, and that was awesome to know.  Waiting for the proposal was in a way exciting. 

LilTexasGal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:a5339394-2a8a-43dc-ba7e-c535be4d061e">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]I<strong> guess we're unlike other couples.  We communicate about every little thing</strong> - we're both planners.  I was with him when he went to transfer the money for the ring from his savings into his checking.  He's told me over and over (before we found the ring) how he would be so heartbroken if he wasn't able to propose before the end of the year.   He's been wanting to get married since 6 months into our relationship, it just took me longer to decide since I had been burned in my last relationship. <strong>  We're on the fast track to marriage not because were rushing it, but because we know that we know this is it. </strong> We want to be married by this time next year so I know it's not going to take him years.   I love this man with all my heart, <strong>but waiting on forever is hard - even if it only ends up being a few weeks!</strong>
Posted by ashleighpaige24[/QUOTE]

Not really. Most strong couples have good communication. It is good that you have this.

I don't think anyone was saying you were rushing it, but you said it yourself - he wants to propose by the end of the year. So, it could take him a few months to propose still. Also, consider this, if he does buy the ring between now and Sunday, is he going to be able to walk right out of the store with ring in hand? Are you the standard ring size? Does the ring need to be sized? What kind of band is it? There are a lot of things to consider when it just comes to getting the ring. It could take 1 week to who knows how long for the ring to get in.

You seemed to miss all the advice PP have given you. Just chill. Don't think about it, get a hobby, force yourself to focus on school. It doesn't matter if you're 100% sure he is going to propose at noon tomorrow or within the month or by the end of the year. Just don't think about it.

Out of curiosity, how old are you?

kaitlynmichelle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:a5339394-2a8a-43dc-ba7e-c535be4d061e">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]I guess we're unlike other couples.  We communicate about every little thing - we're both planners.  I was with him when he went to transfer the money for the ring from his savings into his checking.  He's told me over and over (before we found the ring) how he would be so heartbroken if he wasn't able to propose before the end of the year.   He's been wanting to get married since 6 months into our relationship, it just took me longer to decide since I had been burned in my last relationship.   <strong>We're on the fast track to marriage not because were rushing it, but because we know that we know this is it.  We want to be married by this time next year so I know it's not going to take him years</strong>.   I love this man with all my heart, but waiting on forever is hard - even if it only ends up being a few weeks!
Posted by ashleighpaige24[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>You never know what life will throw you.  Unless you are aware of where he is all the time, or see his bank account statements, you can't know for sure that he will buy the ring <em>right now.</em>  Or even if he does, if he'll propose right away.  Two years ago I was told a proposal was coming by the end of the year.  Well, that didn't happen.  Our lives changed drastically and it was pushed back.  Even if he does get the ring and you find out about it, focus on other things, not just the proposal.  It will happen eventually.</div><div>
</div>

dewingedpixie

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:b9746696-219e-4ecb-8dfb-dbfa279f37e7">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE] For me, it HELPED to know it was coming.  I wouldn't be waiting indefinitely - he'd chosen me, and that was awesome to know.  Waiting for the proposal was in a way exciting. 
Posted by travelerkris[/QUOTE]

This is where I'm at right now. I'm engaged he wants to do something special. I'm happy with that. I have what I need he's just bringing me something pretty as a symbol of that commitment which makes icing on the cake.

Hummingbird125

I have to agree with everyone. You shouldn't be sure of anything until there's a ring on your finger (figuratively speaking, I know some couples don't get engagement rings). A good work-friend of mine had been with his girlfriend for about 8 years. Bought a 6k engagement ring after they had been together for three years, but wasn't quite ready to propose. A few months ago, I mentioned a friend of mine was getting ready to propose to his girlfriend, and was shopping for a ring, and this guy offered to sell his ring to my friend at a discounted price. He told me he just felt like he wouldn't be needing the ring . 

The crazy part of it was, he kept the ring right in his top dresser drawer, and they live together. Very good chance that she's seen it, and has been waiting for a long time now.

Sorry to be a downer, but that just taught me to chill out and to not ever expect a proposal at a certain point with any certainty. When it happens, it will be wonderful, but until then, just be happy in your current relationship.

peekaboo2011

Dewinged and traveler, you both strike me as piles of crazy.

OP - calm the tits down.  There is no need to plan anything.  Srsly.

loves2shop4shoes

You need to slow your roll.  You've only been together just over a year.  And just because your ring is on sale until Sunday doesn't mean he's going to buy it before Sunday...and it certainly doesn't mean you can expect a proposal by the end of the week.

You, my dear, need to take it down a notch...or seven.

beanbot2002

YOU KNOW YOU KNOW YOU KNOW???
I want your time travel machine.

K Everdeen12

I found out that the place they we were looking to buy my setting was having a sale, so I let then-BF know.  I told him what day the sale was ending.  This was in the beginning of August.  We got engaged September 24th.  Buying the ring doesn't mean you'll be getting it anytime soon.  Chill.  (FI and I both strongly believed that it wasn't okay to be booking or planning a wedding without a legitimate proposal - ring or not - but he did choose to wait to propose until the ring was 100% ready.  I think he almost slipped a few times, though.)

I suggest reading and taking up a hobby - like crocheting!  

ETA: It took that long for me to get the ring because of the time it took to ship, get the diamond set, have it appraised, etc.  It was a long process for FI, and lots of sneaking around that he was not great at keeping secret.  It was actually funny to me.  

And another point - you should be focusing on your classes and using them as a distraction from an impending proposal, not the other way around.  Working on my master's didn't leave me too much time to focus on FI proposing, or planning our wedding.  If I let it get in the way of my education, I would be really disappointed with myself.  

PearlyPanda

I just noticed you're from Baton Rouge, like me. So hi!

As pretty much every other PP has said, I think you just need to calm down a little. I know it's extremely exciting at first, but try to refrain from planning. As much fun as it may be, it's going to be even more fun when you're actually engaged. 

Try to relax and enjoy this time with your boyfriend.

thejucheidea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:ae94df43-84a7-4b5f-abe0-6c0130bd9acb">Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]Did anyone else have to deal with knowing he has the ring in his posession just not knowing when he was going to pop the question?!   If he doesn't do it soon I think I'm really going to go crazy! 
Posted by ashleighpaige24[/QUOTE]

My boyfriend and I have been together almost three years and he's had the ring since LAST May. I think you need to slow your roll. Slow. Your. Roll.

JBSMADA10

In Response to Re:Knowing it's coming soon:[QUOTE]In Response to Knowing it's coming soon:Did anyone else have to deal with knowing he has the ring in his posession just not knowing when he was going to pop the question?! nbsp; If he doesn't do it soon I think I'm really going to go crazy!nbsp;Posted by ashleighpaige24My boyfriend and I have been together almost three years and he's had the ring since LAST May. I think you need to slow your roll. Slow. Your. Roll. Posted by ahstillwell[/QUOTE]

If you listen to anyone, listen to this woman!

SKP82

My husband and I had been together for over 7 years when we found "the ring."  He had it for 4 months before he popped the question.

Slow down and enjoy your relationship as it is now.  Once you're engaged, time flies with wedding planning.

JaniV123

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:ab34ba59-50d0-4f8b-a795-18b1c29f8eff">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Knowing it's coming soon : My fiance and I bought a stone for my ring in FEBRUARY. We sent the stone to be set at the end of MARCH! I bought my dress and we set a date in APRIL for our wedding. We also had a snafu with the ring in MAY and had to choose a SECOND STONE, although we picked the VENUE. The place making my ring BROKE the custom mold in JUNE and delayed the shipment due to having to recast molds. My FI freely calls me FI and we are going to a family reunion/wedding next week 3 states away, he bought something on an auction that I was originally going to pay for and he now wont let me or let me see it stating its better than in the photos and I'll see it soon for a very special occassion. I know the ring is to be shipped last week or this week. I declined seeing the cad drawings when he offered a MONTH back.  The expectation at the family reunion from everyone is they want to SEE our RING next WEEK! Do I have the ring? No! Am I worried about it? NO! If we dont have it on my hand next week do I care? NO! Why? Because he's already committed himself to me and that ring is just a thing. When he figures out when/how to present it itll be wonderful. I have everything I need that is him and his promise to marry me. Bottom line is this rings are expensive stuff happens in making them sometimes, and having a good relationship is more important than getting a thing.
Posted by dewingedpixie[/QUOTE]



Same boat only we havent booked or bought anything as we are more than 2.5 months away

We went to look at rings yesterday but we havent made any desicions yet as to the ring, we are comparing prices

Wrkn925

We found a ring on an ohmigawd sale ends in 48 hours deal, too. It is still that price. That was September 2010. Jewelers and David's Bridal consultants lie about when sales end.

FI got the ring June of last year. He proposed at the end of October. (13 months after our first ring shopping experience.)

Just focus on other things. It may happen tomorrow, it may happen next year. Go enjoy your bf .

ashleighpaige24

I am 24.  A few people have said to "get a hobby." I have plenty of hobbies, I work, go to school, spend time with friends - I have a full plate, the hard thing is keeping my mind still.  I know it's not about a ring, but the ring is the symbol that means we can officially move forward.  The ring is the least important thing to me - it's spending the rest of my life with my man

We don't live together - we actually live pretty far apart which makes it hard.  Whenever I leave his house at night I almost cry because I don't want to leave him. 

I'm ready to being my life with him and that's all that matters. 

ashleighpaige24

I know a lot of people are saying it took years and years and years to be proposed to, but we're not that way.  For the purity of our relationship, we've agreed that it is not going to be a long engagement and that it's not going to be a long time from the time we decide "you're the one" until the proposal.  I know it's coming soon but I also know it's not going to be next week.  He's most likely going to wait until after classes end, and after that, who knows.  

We've both started planning for the wedding and he actually encourages me to look for venues online and get ideas from Pinterest because he wants us to have a head start and be ready once it becomes official.  

Our goal is to be married by this time next year, so I know he's serious and that it won't be years.  

For some people, they're fine waiting several years, but that's not how it is for us.  Once we knew we wanted to marry each other, we started talking about when and where we wanted to get married.  It is our shared belief that the "dating" time should only last until you know and once you know, you should get the ball moving.  What's the point in waiting?

It seems like a lot of you don't understand where I'm coming from, and I look forward to posting back on here when he actually does propose so yall can see how long I ended up having to wait.  

EUhew

First, you have not been with him that long. Not to say that your relationship is not serious, but it really has not had time to truly develop. Before popping the question, it really is best to be with someone and see all there ups and downs, experience their highs and lows and know that each person is in a place that they feel comfortable taking the next step. You also said you live fairly far apart. How often do you actually see each other? You say you almost cry every time you leave his house because you do not want to leave? That sounds more like the initial "honeymoon" phase of a relationship. That isn't bad, but that means you are still very early on in your relationship.

Wanting to be with someone for the rest of your life IS NOT ALL THAT MATTERS. You need to know, not feel that. And the only want you can KNOW that is by allowing your relationship to develop over time.

I have been with my guy for almost 9 years and I truly love being with him, but I only tear up when I am leaving on a long trip (not because I will not see him for a day or two). You are 24 and obviously have a lot of things going on in your life. Rather than focusing on having the question "popped," focus on enjoying and developing your relationship. If he really is "the one" then being engaged or being married should not truly change your relationship or commitment to him. So if you have to wait a little while longer, it should not be that terrible.

ashleighpaige24

I know a year doesn't seem like a long time, but our relationship has developed to the point where I know I want to be with him for the rest of my life.  We have been through hard times and good times and we are both ready for the next step.  By saying it has not had time to truly develop is a judgment and a wrong one.  Just because your relationship didn't develop in that amount of time does not mean others don't.  

We live about 40 minutes apart, but we see each other a few times a week because he lives close to the city I go to school and work in.  

Our relationship is strong because of what we've been through and I've met and developed relationships with all his close family. It's just time for us.  I wish others would stop being so judgy - just becaue it took yall longer does not mean it always has to.  I posted on here to get some support and hear others who had felt the same way and how they dealt with it.  

Every relationship is different and if mine is too fast for you, then go take your comments elsewhere.  

And being engaged or married certainly changes the dynamic of the relationship - it should.  I stil love and appreciate him for who he is,  but being engaged or married is a totally different dynamic than dating.  It's a total commitment and surrender.  The most beautiful commitment two people can make to one another. 

We are definitely NOT in the honeymoon stage of the relationship anymore.  Whether you believe it or not our relationship is very developed and will continue to grow, but alot has happened in the year and 3 months we've been together

EUhew

I never said that relationships could not develop that quickly. Every relationship is different. I definitely think it can happen much quicker than my relationship did. We started dating young and we are finally at a point where we both feel ready. What I was saying that you shouldn't not feel too giddy/impatient because of how "new" your relationship is. And clearly, I am not the only person who thinks that. Yes, getting engaged and married WILL changed the dynamics of a relationship, what I meant is that you do not have to be engaged or married to show the same commitment and have the same feelings for something. Engagements and the wedding day are a very small blip in the relationship timeline. If you are meant to be, it shouldn't matter how quickly or slowly you take your next steps. 

You are a little too overly emotional by hearing feedback from others. The forum is here for "FEEDBACK," not just something that will confirm what you want it to. The reality is, that if you do not want or cannot handle honest feedback, then perhaps you should reconsider what you post. I have got some really tough, harsh feedback too, and had to learn how to deal with it.

flygirlmeg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_knowing-its-coming-soon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:9494cd4c-a35e-495b-8414-19dd039adac5Post:a9c72522-2462-4e1c-a761-610db908ccc8">Re: Knowing it's coming soon</a>:
[QUOTE]I am 24.  A few people have said to "get a hobby." I have plenty of hobbies, I work, go to school, spend time with friends - I have a full plate, the hard thing is keeping my mind still.  I know it's not about a ring, but the ring is the symbol that means we can officially move forward.  The ring is the least important thing to me - <strong>it's spending the rest of my life with my man</strong> :D We don't live together - we actually live pretty far apart which makes it hard.  Whenever I leave his house at night I almost cry because I don't want to leave him. <strong> I'm ready to being my life with him</strong> and that's all that matters. 
Posted by ashleighpaige24[/QUOTE]

Here's a different perspective . . . you and BF are ALREADY spending your lives together.  Your life with him has ALREADY begun.  While you may not live together (or even near each other for that matter), you are, indeed, together and living your lives together in a relationship.  I realize that you're ready to "officially move forward" rightthisverysecond but please have an open ear to what we're all saying.  We've all either been there or are still there.  Please try to enjoy the life you are living together right now, even if it's not under the same roof. 

I fully admit I was impatient too but all the impatience in the world doesn't change when he'll buy the ring or when he'll propose.  I'm SO GLAD that FI did things in his own way, in his own time.  We first looked at rings a year and a half before we got engaged and in that time our relationship grew and strengthened in ways I'd never imagined.  And no, I'm not saying your relationship isn't strong.  Just that you can continue to experience your relationship without being engaged or married.

Lastly, if you're both committed to each other, then it doesn't really matter if it happens today or a year from today.  At least, not if you're goal is "living your lives together."  Cause doll, you're already doing that!