Are you getting forever vibes from your man? It’s time to look for clear signs he wants to marry you before you start making future plans in your head. Then work out how you feel about the upcoming proposal!
You’ve been dating a guy for a while now. He seems great, and everything about the relationship seems perfect. But is it progressing forward, or have you both reached a comfortable spot that doesn’t seem up for change? Maybe it’s time to start looking for the signs he wants to marry you.
Is he happy just staying how it is? Sometimes, you need to know the signs if you’re secretly expecting more from the relationship. That way, you’re not left waiting for something that might never happen.
[Read: 21 big signs he will never marry you and you’re just his maybe girl]
How long does it take a man to know he wants to marry you?
When you’ve been dating a guy for a long time, it’s very easy to just let things stay the same. He’s happy, you’re happy, so why fix something that isn’t broken, right? Or at least, that’s what your guy could be thinking!
While marriage is literally nothing more than a way to legalize your relationship as per the laws of the state, it’s one of the ways the world we live in defines a “real” relationship.
If you’re serious about each other and intend to stay committed, you marry. Or that’s what we’ve grown up believing. After all, if your man does love you and does intend to stay with you till the end of time, why not put a ring on it, right?
While most men see marriage as the next step of a healthy relationship AND proof of commitment, not all men think this way. So, how long, on average, does it take for a man to realize he wants to marry you? [Read: Relationship stages – 10 phases couples go through by months and years]
The answer? Who knows! Every guy is different.
Some guys might want to put a ring on it within months, while others may be more cautious and choose to wait a few years. There is no right or wrong answer to this question.
But if you two have been basically married for a few years, it’s probably time to start thinking about making things official – if that’s what you both want. [Read: Is he going to propose? 21 signs he’ll be going down on one knee anytime now!]
Are you looking for the right signs?
Although men don’t typically talk about their feelings, they actually go to great lengths to show you how they’re feeling. They do little things here and there that let you know how much they care and appreciate you.
It can be as subtle as doing the dishes when you’re stressed out, but it definitely means a lot more than just cleaning up after dinner. They’re trying to ease your stress and keep you happy—which speaks volumes in man-talk.
Every guy is different, and they all show they care in many different ways. But these signs he wants to marry and spend his life with you are fairly common. Sometimes, all you need to do is look for the right kind of subtle cues to tell if they’re thinking about putting a ring on that pretty little finger of yours. [Read: Should I marry him? 24 signs that scream ‘yes’ and all the reasons why]
The sure signs he wants to marry you someday, even if he hasn’t said it out loud
If you’re getting older and you’re wondering if your man is ever going to pop the question soon, here are some tell-tale signs he wants to marry you.
1. He uses the word “we” rather than “I”
This is a funny one. Subconsciously, guys know from very early on in a relationship whether they’re in it for the long haul or not. Even if they don’t realize it, the way they speak about their future plans can reveal how they think you’re going to work out.
If he uses the word ‘we’ when describing plans and actions, he knows that you’ll be there and recognizes your importance in his life. If he consistently uses the word ‘I’, you’re just an add-on. [Read: Relationship milestones – 15 dating highlights you should be proud of]
2. He still believes in marriage
A lot of people *especially men* have lost faith in marriage due to rising divorce and separation rates. It is important to have casual conversations with your man to find out if he still believes in marriage and the institution of it.
If not, and you’re hoping for a ring on your finger, this is a major red flag. [Read: Top 20 reasons for divorce that most couples simply overlook!]
3. He doesn’t react negatively when he sees posts about weddings
If you’re trying to find signs that a man wants to marry you, look no further than his reaction to social media posts about marriage and weddings. They’re everywhere!
If these make him smile or he talks about how he envisions his own big day, you’re on the right track.
On the other hand, if he rolls his eyes at them or tells you that he thinks the whole idea of marriage is silly, believe him instead of hoping he’ll change his opinion. [Read: 25 obvious signs both of you are high on wedding fever
4. He doesn’t groan when wedding invites come in the mail
Most guys who aren’t thinking of anything even close to marriage will moan, groan, and complain about all of the wedding invitations they receive.
But if he’s less annoyed and more curious and/or excited when one of his friends sends the wedding invite, it means that he’s at a point in his life where he appreciates them. In fact, you always become his plus one whenever he attends these weddings. It’s a sign that he may want to have one of his own… with you!
5. He’s comfortable around you
See if your man feels like he can be himself around you. If so, this could also indicate that he wants to marry you.
That doesn’t mean he’s “letting himself go.” It just means that whenever he’s around you, he feels like he’s home, and there’s no need to put on a mask or a fake act. And it’s not just about the way he presents himself, he’s also able to show you a side of himself that very few people are able to see. [Read: Tips to make living together before marriage work for you]
6. You’re a part of his plans for the future
Lots of couples talk about the future. But not all couples involve each other in their future plans. Most men will probably list down what car they want to be driving, how much money they want to make, or how many places they want to visit.
When he gets asked about what he sees himself doing in ten years, your name pops up. [Read: 20 subtle signs to know if he sees a future with you or without you in it]
7. You talk about the kids you’ll be having
Talking about kids is a big deal for most men. Not all of them are looking forward to revamping their home entertainment room for a playroom for the kids. But if your guy is very open about it and he actually takes in your input regarding kids, then that’s good news!
Kids are a big part of life and the future for many couples, so talking about it is a huge positive. It’s one of the big signs he wants to marry you. [Read: What is the right age to get married?]
8. He shares and talks about everything with you
Whatever he’s thinking, whatever’s bothering him, you’ll be the first person to know. You’re always a major factor in his decision-making, and your input bears a lot of weight. But other than this, he may be sharing other, more tangible things with you.
For instance, you might already have a joint bank account. You might already be sharing a home or at least considering it as a possibility in the near future.
Marriage has a lot to do with sharing, and when your guy already shows the initiative that he wants to share with you, then marriage may not be that far behind. [Read: 20 good reasons to get married and live happily ever after!]
If you’re looking for signs, this is pretty much a no-brainer. He wants to know things like where your dream wedding is, who you’d like to invite, and what you want to dance to on your wedding day.
When he starts snooping around your jewelry box to find out what size ring you’re wearing, it’s pretty much an obvious sign he wants to marry you soon! [Read: How to elope and have the perfect wedding of your dreams]
10. He flirts with you, constantly
A good relationship involves constant love and affection. ‘Never stop flirting with your partner!’ you’ll hear from marriage counselors and old couples you speak to over the years.
If he constantly flirts with you or displays affection like when you first started dating, he’s looking at you long-term. This is an obvious sign the wants to marry you in the future.
11. A lot of his friends are already married or engaged
This is one of the biggest signs he wants to marry you. Most guys don’t want to take the plunge first, so a great sign that he might be ready for marriage is if a lot of he has a lot of married friends or the people around him are already getting engaged.
Who knows, he might just follow the trend. [Read: Last one to marry? Reasons why you shouldn’t worry]
12. He’s always on time for you
This might not seem as important as all the other ones, but trust us, it is. If he’s always on time to meet you, if he prioritizes seeing you and is never late to date night, you are a priority to him.
You mean so much to him that he is always making sure that time with you comes first. He values you. [Read: 37 signs a man is emotionally attached to you and ready to get closer]
13. Does he miss you?
One of the biggest signs he wants to marry you is if he misses you even after the two of you have been together for a while.
If you are just an add-on to his already perfect life, he won’t miss you that much when he’s not with you. However, if you’ve become an integral part of his life, he will miss you when you’re not there.
14. He only has eyes for you
Everyone has a little bit of a wandering eye every now and then, and it’s perfectly okay to appreciate beauty around you.
However, does he have eyes for only you? When you walk into a room, does your man’s attention go to you straight away? If so, you might be the one for him, one of the clearest signs that may indicate he’s ready to take the relationship to the next level. [Read: Does he love you? 37 real signs he’s past like and totally in love with you]
15. He starts making big commitments
Think about the things that tie two people together. Buying a house, having a child, opening a joint bank account, connecting your car insurance.
If your man starts to make big commitments like this, it might be a sign that he’s getting close to taking the plunge with you. Men do not bring up conversations about future plans unless he’s serious about the relationship.
16. He likes to stay in with you, even if it means skipping out on plans
This is love, isn’t it? When your man has made the decision to stay in with you on a Friday night, even if his boys are out having fun without him? Do the two of you sometimes cancel plans just to stay in and spend time with each other?
This means that both of you love each other’s company. This is crucial for marriage and a great sign for upcoming nuptials. [Read: Should I marry him? 17 big signs that scream “YES”!]
17. He’s there for you emotionally
When you cry, does he hold you? Or does he back away and not really take much notice? This is a show of compassion and love, and you’re going to need a lot of both if you get married! If he truly cares for you enough to want to marry you, he should love you enough to be there for you emotionally too.
It’s a two-in-one, and this is one of the clear signs he will marry you.
18. “If” changes to “when”
If your man is saying ‘if’ when he talks about your future, you’re with the wrong man. Trust us! If you are in a long-term relationship and he’s not using the word ‘when’ when talking about your future, it is most likely that you need a new man. [Read: 25 signs your man sees you as wife material and not just dating material]
19. He’s open about his love for you
A wedding is about expressing your love for each other publicly. And if your man doesn’t do that already in the day-to-day, he won’t want to do it on a grand scale and in a tux.
One of the biggest signs he wants to marry you is if he is constantly expressing his love for you in both public and private environments. [Read: How to get your man to propose by reading his mind]
20. His family starts to treat you like family
When you’ve met his parents and his close friends, and he begins inviting you to all of his family events, it’s a sure sign he’s thinking you’re the one for him. He wouldn’t be introducing you to his family and other important people in his life and having you get to know them if he didn’t plan on keeping you around for a long time.
Maybe he also wants you to meet them to get to know you and see you interact with everyone. This way, he can be sure that you are not only a great fit for him but a great fit for his family. You know what happens when he takes the next step after this? He’s going to ask you to marry him soon.
21. He boasts about you to others
Do you always catch him bragging about you to his friends, family, or coworkers? This sense of pride is not to be taken lightly. When a man starts to boast about his significant other, it means that you always cross his mind and that you have become a part of him, in a sense.
He is now seeing your accomplishments as his own, and by talking you up, he feels better, as well. This means that he sees you as a part of him and his life—which is a sure sign that he wants to make you his and spend his life with you. [Read: 39 signs a man is emotionally attached to you and ready to get closer]
22. He wants to live with you
Men like their space. No, actually—men LOVE their space. So if he’s discussing moving in together, what he’s really discussing with you is how he wants to spend his life with you.
Guys don’t just want to move in with anybody. When they open their personal space and invite you in like that, they’ve definitely got wedding bells on their mind.
23. You go on vacations together
Vacation is a man’s time to get away from work and all the stresses in his life. If he’s bringing you with him, then he definitely sees you as someone who can soothe any of those issues. That’s a surefire sign that he wants to spend his life with you.
Of course, a guy may want to go on a vacation with some girl just for fun. But if he’s excited about a particular place that he’s been wanting to visit since forever, and he wants to vacation there with you, that’s a very good sign you’re more important than anyone else. [Read: Is it too soon to start traveling with your partner?]
24. He always wants to work out any issues you two have
If a man doesn’t want to keep you around forever, then they’re not going to be so willing to solve problems. Usually, they’ll just let them pass until the issue seems to “go away.”
But if your man is actively trying to solve any current problems the two of you have, this means that he really wants to make sure you stay with him. It’s definitely a sign he wants to marry and spend his life with you.
25. He “feels out” the idea
Has he ever brought up getting married casually in a conversation? If so, then he’s wondering if YOU are thinking about marrying and spending your life with him.
Talking about marriage for any guy is a big deal, and if he’s talking about it with you, watch out for a ring in your near future! [Read: How to get your man to propose by reading his mind]
26. He tells you
If he tells you that he wants to marry you someday or that you’re the one for him, that’s the only sign you need! When this happens, he’s certain he wants to marry and spend his life with you.
27. He pampers you
Sure, being sweet can mean that he’s just a generally sweet guy. However, keep in mind that guys don’t pamper women they have no interest in being with. They can be pretty obvious in their ability to see the long-term validity in treating their women like queens.
If he makes the effort to make you happy and pamper the heck out of you, he definitely wants to keep you in his life. [Read: Spoiled girlfriend checklist – 100 signs you’re lucky in love]
28. You share interests
Although they say that opposites attract, it’s more practical to end up with someone with shared interests. Whether it’s your shared love for a particular TV show or obsession with base jumping, it’s always great when you find someone who enjoys the same things you do.
Weekends and holidays will not seem like someone is compromising or sacrificing what they want to do for their partner. Men tend to believe that common interests play a huge role in long-term relationship success.
29. You get a pet
Getting a pet together could be a sign that a guy wants to spend the rest of his life with you, or at least the next 3 to 14 years, depending on what type of pet you get.
Jokes aside, sharing the responsibility of caring for something is an indication that he sees himself with you in the long run. It is also a wonderful gauge for both of you to see if you guys can cope with the weight of being accountable for something other than yourselves. [Read: Tips for couples who are planning to get a pet]
30. You already live together
Living together first is one of the smartest decisions that a couple can make before tying the knot. If he invites you to move in or to get a place together, he has already decided to keep you around for the long run.
If everything goes well after a couple of years, you can probably expect him to pop the question. [Read: Ways to make living together a breeze]
31. He doesn’t run from the tough stuff
A man who sticks around and shows true grit through tough times is a man who takes you seriously and does not want to lose you. Whether it’s holding your hand through a serious illness, helping you get back on your feet through a financial crisis, or just being a solid shoulder to cry on, a man who can stomach the tough stuff is someone who truly loves you.
If he can stay strong and be with you through your darkest hour, he will be able to make it with you through anything. Love is not just about sailing through fun times. Seeing how he captains your ship through stormy weather is a great way to know if he wants a future with you. [Read: 17 signs of a supportive partner who encourages you and your goals]
32. He tells you that you’re The One
Whether he did it intentionally or it just slipped out, once he starts hinting along the lines of you being “The One,” you can probably be sure that you are, indeed, “The One.”
Men don’t say these words lightly! Telling you this means that he has stopped thinking of other women, that he has forgotten about being a lifelong bachelor, and that he has finally found the woman he wants to start the next chapter of life with. In short, you’re the one he wants to marry. [Read: Signs your guy means it when he says “I love you”]
33. He shows his trust in you
Whether it’s with his ATM card or with his heart, once a man fully trusts you, it is a clear indication that he sees himself potentially creating a future with you. Moreover, once he values your opinions and thoughts seriously and confides in you no matter how embarrassing the problem is, you can be sure that he values your being in his life.
34. He shares his family secrets with you
Every family has some secrets they don’t openly tell everyone. Whatever those secrets are, he’s not going to tell someone he isn’t extremely close to.
If your man has openly talked to you about the secrets and problems in his family, it’s because he trusts you and sees you as a part of his family. It also means he is comfortable enough with you knowing these things, especially if you’ve been together for a long time. This is one of the key signs you’re the one he wants to marry. [Read: Signs the guy you’re with deserves your trust]
35. He’s started saving more money than usual
He might be a saver in general, but if you notice that he’s putting more away than he normally would, ask yourself what he’s saving for. A wedding, perhaps?
When a guy starts saving his cash for the future of your relationship, it’s one of the firm signs he wants to spend his life with you. He’s trying to create a strong savings nest for the two of you to lean upon during hard times or for future opportunities. [Read: How to talk about money with your partner]
Oh, come on, a guy isn’t going to take you shopping for rings, even window shopping, if he’s not thinking about buying one! Do you think guys like looking at shiny diamonds for the fun of it?
If you’ve been walking past a few jewelry shops, and he’s subtly pointed out a few rings in the last couple of weeks, you can basically say that he’s thinking about proposing.
37. He tells you you’ll be a fantastic wife and mother
When a guy tells you that he thinks you’re going to make a fantastic wife and mother, his mind is on serious things like that. He is picturing you in those roles, and he likes what he’s imagining.
When he says things like this, it’s one of the indications that he wants to spend his life with you and that he’s probably planning to pop the question quite soon. [Read: Marriage advice – 20 real-life tips and lessons for a happily ever after]
If he’s about to propose, how do you feel?
Now you know the signs he wants to spend his life with you and might be about to pop the question, how do you feel? Is it something you want?
When you get the feeling that a ring might be incoming, it’s a good idea to do some soul searching. Think about what you want in your future if you’re not sure yet. Then, if he does get down on one knee, you won’t have to think twice about your answer.
[Read: Marital traditions – Their not-so-sweet origins and our modern choices]
If you see quite a few of these signs he wants to marry you, you can rest assured that he already sees you as his soulmate, and it is just a matter of time until he pops the question!
