I Do? 9 Signs You’re Ready for Marriage

Lateet April 22, 2019

2.3 million couples get married each and every year in the United States. If you’re thinking about joining that statistic in the next year or two, you may be wondering if you’re ready for that kind of commitment.

After all, how can you really tell if your partner is “the one”? Luckily, there are a few signs that can help you determine if you and your partner are ready to tie the knot.

Do you want to know more? Keep reading to learn 9 signs that you’re ready for marriage.

1. You Know What You Want in a Spouse

Have you taken the time to think about what traits your ideal spouse would have? Maybe you want someone who is supportive, attentive, and romantic. Or maybe you’d prefer someone who is funny and responsible.

Now, take a look at your partner. While they likely won’t check all your boxes, they should have many of the traits you’re looking for. If they don’t, you may find yourself getting fed up over time when they don’t meet your expectations.

2. You Love Your Partner as Is

If you read that last tip and thought, “I’m sure my partner will become more (insert personality trait here) over time”, that’s not a good sign.

While most people can learn to put the toilet seat up and stop leaving their dirty socks in a pile on the floor, you shouldn’t expect your partner to make big changes in their personality. You’ll just end up disappointed in a few years when they haven’t changed, so make sure you love your partner as is before you tie the knot.

3. You Want a Marriage, Not Just a Wedding

Does it seem like somebody is getting engaged or married every time you scroll through Instagram or Facebook? Do those big, flashy gemstone engagement rings and pristine white dresses make you jealous?

While looking forward to having a wedding is okay, it shouldn’t be your main motivation for getting married. Instead, you should be thinking about how excited you are to officially commit to your partner and start building a life together.

4. You Have the Same Future Goals

Picture your life 10 years from now. What do you see?

Now, does your partner share that same image?

While you and your partner will likely have some goals that differ, your main goals should be the same. Decisions like whether or not to have kids can’t be compromised or figured out later. But it’s a good sign if you and your partner are on the same page here!

5. You’re Already Committed

It’s no secret that marriage is a huge commitment. But it shouldn’t take a piece of paper for you to feel committed to your partner.

If you’re truly ready to marry them, you should already be treating the relationship like you’re in it for the long haul. If you’re still flirting with other people, have active accounts on dating sites, or miss the dating scene, a wedding won’t make these feelings go away.

6. You’ve Learned How to Problem-Solve

Every couple fights, but it’s how you deal with these arguments that matter. Are you able to sit down with your partner and have calm, ration discussions about your feelings? Can you identify the problem and work together to come up with a compromise?

Ignoring problems or storming out in the middle of a fight can lead to a lot of unresolved problems that will only build up over time. Not learning how to problem-solve together can quickly land you in marriage counseling or even at the divorce lawyer’s office.

Instead, you’ll need to be able to fix your problems as they happen to have a healthy marriage.

7. You Can Openly Communicate

Of course, there’s more to communication than being able to work through arguments. You should feel as though you can tell your partner anything.

It can be hard to talk about things like mistakes, money, and fears. But if you can’t open up to your partner about these feelings, who can you open up to?

You shouldn’t feel like you need to hide or lie about the mistakes you’ve made. Instead, you should feel comfortable confiding in your partner about anything.

8. You Can Have Fun Doing Nothing

Being married isn’t all about going on vacations or double dates with your other married friends. In fact, you’ll probably find that you get into a routine that includes staying in most nights.

And that’s okay! It’s a good thing if you and your partner can have fun doing nothing together.

You shouldn’t feel the need to constantly entertain each other. Being able to just relax on the couch while playing on your phones or watching a movie shows that you’re comfortable and just enjoy being in each other’s presence.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you don’t need the occasional date night too. If you can find a good medium between going out together and relaxing at home, you’re golden.

9. You’re Complete by Yourself

While the thought of your partner “completing you” is often looked at as the ultimate sign of true love, you actually want to feel complete by yourself. If you need your partner to feel happy, it adds a lot of pressure on the relationship.

Instead, you and your partner should each have fulfilling lives. This may include having friends, hobbies, and a job that you enjoy. Your partner should be another one of these elements that adds to your overall happiness.