5 Questions A Man Should Ask Himself Before Proposing

Before proposing, couples should talk honestly about money, conflict, future goals, and whether they can build a life together while still being themselves – Shutterstock

A marriage proposal should involve more than finding the right ring, choosing a scenic location, and practicing how to get down on one knee without wobbling. Before asking someone to spend a lifetime together, a man should ask himself five honest questions about the relationship, the future, and his own readiness for marriage.

That does not mean turning romance into a quarterly performance review. Nobody needs a clipboard at dinner while evaluating the relationship. Still, marriage brings real responsibilities, from money and family decisions to arguments about whose turn it is to deal with the mysteriously disgusting thing in the refrigerator. A thoughtful proposal starts with a thoughtful look at what comes next.