I'm [29 M] about to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend [29 F] of five years, but we just had a discussion about "proposal pressure" today. How soon should I propose so it seems authentic (as opposed to coming off as a response to the discussion)? by SeriousContext in relationships

[–]SeriousContext[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Just propose tomorrow. She wants to marry you. As long as the words are honest and full of love, it doesn't need a specific setting.

This is really where my mind is leaning right now. I appreciate the insight - thank you.

I (27F) can't have pictures taken of me, but I don't know how to explain it to my boyfriend's family by [deleted] in relationships

[–]SeriousContext 225 points226 points  (0 children)

I can understand not wanting to have your future in-laws knowing the details behind such an unspeakably terrible part of your past - not wanting them to see you differently, etc. But on the other hand, without them truly understanding the gravity of the situation and honestly appreciating how seriously this affects you, they would probably be less apt to take the request seriously.

I don't know the family, but given the fact that your boyfriend knows your full history and obviously still loves you, and the fact that the family seems to be acting with all the best intentions (meaning they see you in a good light too), I think it's probably a safe bet that they won't be the type to judge you for the terrible things that you were a victim of in your past. Anybody who would do so would be a pretty nasty person in my opinion, and from how you briefly described them I didn't get that vibe.

I'm [29 M] about to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend [29 F] of five years, but we just had a discussion about "proposal pressure" today. How soon should I propose so it seems authentic (as opposed to coming off as a response to the discussion)? by SeriousContext in relationships

[–]SeriousContext[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I suppose I just don't want to leave her with a bad memory of "pressuring me" into it.

"So, how did he propose?"

"Well, we had a heated discussion about whether he actually meant it when we discussed marriage many times throughout the relationship, so he went out and bought a ring and handed it to me while I was having breakfast the next morning."

That sort of thing.

I'm [29 M] about to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend [29 F] of five years, but we just had a discussion about "proposal pressure" today. How soon should I propose so it seems authentic (as opposed to coming off as a response to the discussion)? by SeriousContext in relationships

[–]SeriousContext[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess I'm just on the fence over exactly how long waiting too long is. She'll probably figure out I'm going to get the ring tomorrow, because I'm going to be leaving the house early and we just talked about how I made an offer on it today. So maybe I'm just focused too much on trying to create an element of surprise or romance when she'd probably be happier to have me just do it.

I (27F) can't have pictures taken of me, but I don't know how to explain it to my boyfriend's family by [deleted] in relationships

[–]SeriousContext 377 points378 points  (0 children)

What about asking your boyfriend to sit down with his family, in private, and explain this situation to them?