His apartment is clean, he’s saving money, and
Thursday night poker with the guys has turned into
date night with you?
Either your guy is coming down with something, or
he’s planning to pop the question.
Read on for more telltale signs that he’s ready to say
“I do.”
1. He’s growing out of his bachelor ways: You can
tell his bachelor days are behind him when his
number-one priority is no longer himself. If he’s
constantly using terms like “we” and “our,” and
plans for a weekend with the guys are suddenly
on the back burner while weekends with you are
becoming more common, it’s probably not that
he’s just sick of his buddies. He might’ve realized
that he prefers a more settled lifestyle, and this
transition puts him squarely on the path to
proposing.
2. He’s redecorating: You may notice certain items
have disappeared from his pad, like his favourite
posters. And did he ditch that ugly brown chair
for something a little nicer? It could be the start
of major changes — your boyfriend is making
room in his life for you, both physically and
emotionally.
3. He’s curbing big purchases: Has your boyfriend
gone from big spender to big saver? The plasma-
screen TV he’d been planning to buy isn’t hanging
over his mantel, and instead of buying rounds of
drinks at happy hour after work, he’s home
cooking dinner. He might be eliminating frivolous
spending to brace for a large down payment (on
your engagement ring).
4. He’s not complaining about weddings: While at
a wedding together, it’s more than just the usual
eagerness for an open bar. He’s not cracking
jokes during the vow exchange — instead, he’s
commenting on the couple’s first-dance song
choice and the meal selection. Take it as a sign
that he’s paying attention to all things wedding-
related because marriage is on his mind.
5. He’s taken an interest in your jewelry: Has he
been complimenting your great ability to
accessorize? Snooping around in your jewelry
box? Holding your hand, constantly? All kidding
aside, when your favorite ring goes missing,
you’ll know for sure that he’s trying to find a
covert way to figure out your size.
6. He wants to meet the parents: Okay, so he’s
probably already met your parents. If he hasn’t
and has become insistent on meeting them, it’s
probably for a good reason. Or maybe he already
knows them well. If he’s all of a sudden the first
to RSVP for your nephew’s birthday party, or
jumps at the chance for a weekend visit with your
parents, he’s ready for the next step.
7. He’s been talking to friends and family
behind your back: He’s not trying to sneak
around but he wants to maintain some element
of surprise while still giving you your dream
proposal. Chances are he’s talking to your closest
friends to get a better idea of what you might
want in a proposal or for your engagement ring.
(You better drop some ring hints to your besties
too.)
8. He’s involving you in big picture decisions: He
may have gotten a job offer he’s consulting you
about or he’s thought about whether the two of
you should move into a more spacious
apartment. He’s asking you because he values
your opinion and realizes if a proposal is on the
horizon that life choices like these are going to
start impacting both of you equally.
9. He’s acting out of character: You know his daily
routine inside and out, and any variation is
enough to give you pause. If he’s super-insistent
that you guys do something you never do (like
take a walk through a park or drive to a place to
watch the sunset), he may be setting you up to
speak those four little words: “Will you marry
me?” After all that hard work, be sure to make it
easy on him and say yes!