Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you may be contemplating the idea of commitment with a long-time lover or you may be newly engaged and want to validate what you already know to be true about your spouse-to-be. Nevertheless, ask yourself these questions before you officially tie the knot.
Is it the right time?
Are you truly at a stage where you can devote yourself to another human being wholeheartedly? You can take this question a number of different ways. Marriage is a huge step in your life, whether or not you’d like to have a wedding. If you’re at a point where you’re a bit more focused on your career than your love life, struggling with finances or are juggling various medical or family issues, taking that next leap may sound like a lot of work. Make sure that you and your partner have decided together that you’re both in it to win it, and aren’t just going along with the marriage to appease your family members or loved ones.
Could I live without him?
When you walk down that aisle and say, “I do,” you should be confident that the man you’re about to marry is someone you just can’t picture your life without. If your mind is still wandering about other potential mates or you’re feeling hesitant about whether he’s the one, carefully think this decision through.
Are we ready for the next step in our relationship?
Just as sure as you are about your guy, it’s important to be confident about what you two share before you sign on the dotted line. There are a lot of times where sacrifices are often necessary in a marriage, and if the bond is not strong enough to overcome those instances, it may be time to reevaluate the relationship’s foundation.
Can I fully trust him?
If one of you is dealing with insecurities about the other partner, now is the time to come clean about them if you haven’t already. Do you feel uncomfortable when he is up late at night texting his lady friend? Is he still being a little too friendly with his ex? Set your boundaries and talk through your feelings with him. It’s important to deal with these issues head-on so they don’t follow you long after you marry him. Relationships can’t survive without trust.
Who am I without him?
Because at this point, you should have a pretty strong idea about who you are—your values, beliefs and character—to understand how compatible he is with you. For how can you love someone else if you can’t love yourself first (for better or for worse)?
