Hey! I'm in my early 30s and I've been engaged several times. I was never the girl to obsess over weddings plans although I did briefly get into it when I was in college. I honestly can say that in past relationships I just accepted proposals because I thought it was the thing to do, I thought we could work through our differences, I "thought" I loved them, blahblahblah.. I broke it off with a long term guy last September because he wanted more and you know what? I'm sick of just trying to make someone my ideal man.. He was great in every way, but not for me.
I was basically content to just be single.. Took some steps, bought a house, got a new job, etc etc. I was doing JUST FINE. Just perfect even. Thrilled. Free. And thennn..
I met a guy a couple months ago and it was instant. Like complete instant recognition. Like oh, what's your favorite song/food/dance move... oh no, I already knew everything. Our families are eerily similar in structure, faith, and food--at the same time they both asked us to the same restaurant. We've met everyone. We have a renewed interest in life. It's INSANE. On the first night we met he uttered "we will be married by october".. I totally believed him.
So I guess.. I don't know.. Although we're not "planning", we talk about our future a lot. He's sent me his ideas for centerpieces. He wants to talk to my parents to ask permission and I think my dad is going to LOL at him. (as in, good luck bud, i'll believe it when we're at the altar)..
I guess I'd feel more comfortable with a ring on my finger even though it's crazy. It would seem more real. I mean I've been in relationships for several years and was never sure. Not even a little. I do have some fears in this but sheesh if it works out, then it's really all worth it I guess. Little freaked out! (but not enough to run)
anyway just wanted to say hi & explain myself to someone .. this is probably going to blow up in my face so I'm a bit gun-shy on the real life discussions, understandably.
Re: Intro & moving fast.
Motolyn's House Remodel Blog Starting anew Nov. 2012.
I think you're keeping a good head about it all and I am Happy for you.
I would be happy to talk more with you more if you ever want to PM me!!!
Talk about the future, the marriage (not so much the wedding), talk about any potential issues you have (communication is an ongoing process), and just enjoy each other. Perhaps get engaged next October instead of this October? Maybe be engaged by this October? Just... I dunno... there are a few red flags, and I'd hate to see you jump into something when it might be better to take enthusiastic but cautious steps forward.
[QUOTE]Hey! I'm in my early 30s and <strong>I've been engaged several times</strong>. I was never the girl to obsess over weddings plans although I did briefly get into it when I was in college. <strong>I honestly can say that in past relationships I just accepted proposals because I thought it was the thing to do, I thought we could work through our differences, I "thought" I loved them, blahblahblah.. </strong>I broke it off with a long term guy last September because he wanted more and you know what? I'm sick of just trying to make someone my ideal man.. He was great in every way, but not for me. I was basically content to just be single.. Took some steps, bought a house, got a new job, etc etc. I was doing JUST FINE. Just perfect even. Thrilled. Free. And thennn.. I met a guy a couple months ago and it was instant. Like complete instant recognition. Like oh, what's your favorite song/food/dance move... oh no, I already knew everything. Our families are eerily similar in structure, faith, and food--at the same time they both asked us to the same restaurant. We've met everyone. We have a renewed interest in life. It's INSANE. On the first night we met he uttered "we will be married by october".. I totally believed him. So I guess.. I don't know.. Although we're not "planning", we talk about our future a lot. He's sent me his ideas for centerpieces. He wants to talk to my parents to ask permission and I think my dad is going to LOL at him. (as in, good luck bud, i'll believe it when we're at the altar).. I guess I'd feel more comfortable with a ring on my finger even though it's crazy. It would seem more real. I mean I've been in relationships for several years and was never sure. Not even a little. I<strong> do have some fears in this</strong> but sheesh if it works out, then it's really all worth it I guess. Little freaked out! (but not enough to run) anyway just wanted to say hi & explain myself to someone .. this is probably going to blow up in my face so I'm a bit gun-shy on the real life discussions, understandably.
Posted by annabelle22[/QUOTE]
I think you need to slow down a bit. You said yourself that you have thought these things before, so you don't want it to end the same way. Give it time and if he really is this perfect guy for you, then he will stick around for a while. You need to just enjoy this time you have now, and enjoy being in a relationship.
I know it seems a little manic.. I am well aware, lol. I'm taking everything into consideration one day at a time.
I am also new to the board. I usually post in the philadelphia board, Have I seen you there too?
I met my boyfriend in a similar way, wasnt expecting it. We met at a friends wedding, he was a grooms man n I was a brides maid. Of course, I was intially attracted to him and we talked all night. He actually live in CA at that time and went back there after the wedding (im from PA). I asked my GF for his number and ended up texting him a few weeks later. We haven't stopped talking since. He came home to PA several times, I flew out there once, and then finally in may of 2010 he moved back to PA!. I originally didn't think anything would come of this or was I really looking, I knew I couldnt do a long distance relationship or move to the other side of the US. But he was so intriging and we hit it off right away and I am so happy I pursued him! lol
I agree with you... Having a ring on your finger makes it more real. You can talk about it and 'plan' it but until he commits with a ring then its more like a dream then real. And don't let you previous engagements dictate what will happen with you and him, meaning don't let your parents think its a joke (i.e. good luck, we wont believe it til we see it). You know why things went wrong before. You know why this relationship is different and maybe you should talk to your parents about that. I know I would feel funny if I was getting engage to a guy who broke off a previous engagement and his parents didnt seem to have 'faith' in the relationship.
Good luck! and welcome!
Personally, I think that honeymoon phase lasts anywhere from 6-10 months, and then you get about the business of really getting to know someone! I would recommend to absolutely anyone under the sun that they wait at least one year before getting engaged or moving in together. Not that it can't work if you don't; but if you're feeling rushed, it sure doesn't hurt. I know of a few marriages that failed horribly because the couple got engaged and married too soon to really and truly know that this was the right person, or at least to soon to have worked out whatever issues they may have had together.
Okay, I'm rambling a little, but I hope this helps! Welcome to the board!
Blog: A New Yorker in Duluth
Updated 8/8/11
While a ring on your finger (and a proposal) can make things more public, they don't make things more real on their own. The only way that a relationship can be more real depends on how the people treat it. You've been engaged before- you had those rings, and that didn't make your love or marriage any more real for you.
But in the meantime, really do slow down. Enjoy where you two are at right now, because it's a great place to be. You two may feel so perfect for each other right now, and you two may very well end up together in the end. But you really don't have anything at all to lose by waiting. Don't try to jump ahead to an engagement and wedding right now when it means you could miss out on the present.