Ready For The Ring … Should You Hint?

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So we all hope that we should never have to wonder if our Mr. Charming will propose or not when the time feels right. If you feel like he is stalling, does he mind you nudging him a bit?

In a best-case scenario, a timeframe for marriage should have already been discussed. So hinting shouldn’t be pressure but rather an expression of readiness to move into the next season of a relationship.
Lamar, 26, MD

I believe that it is good for a woman to talk to her significant other specifically about the direction of their dating/courting relationship. I am an advocate for building relationships with a purpose, a vision in mind. I don’t encourage wandering aimlessly.
Brandon, 27, DC

I think it is best if the woman speaks her mind and makes known her intentions of wanting the relationship to go to the next level. A good conversation about what they both want for the relationship at this point is also important.
Dare, 31, MD

Hinting yes … nagging no. It is good that it is discussed by both parties, so they both know that they are ready and willing to move on to the next step. So yeah, if they discussed it and the time frame of when they both expect the relationship to advance to the next step is approaching or passed, and he hasn’t proposed, then you could hint, without nagging.
Kwaku, 28, MA

I think it depends. If the woman feels that her man is in a position to engage her and marry her then by all means hint. Sometimes it is good to give us, guys a reminder. On the other hand, the woman has to evaluate her life and relationship and if she realizes that the man is in no position to marry her or is comfortable, she has got to advise herself fast. To be fair, sometimes, a man would like to do the right thing but doesn’t have the resources yet. A little hint (indirectly) is likely to make the man sit up and do what he has to do.
Oswald, 30, PA

Hints are bad!!! It’s a conversation that a couple should have and be on the same level on… when the time is right… honestly… you don’t even have to ASK… you can just set a date.
Mas, 24, MN

If you do nudge, hint, or need to just come out and ask, here is how these men are suggesting you go about it.

Being upfront about it would be ok. Badgering and pestering, however, would not.
Lamar, 26, MD

Pressure is not good, but a little indirect suggestion can go a long way unless the man doesn’t want to go further than a courtship.
Oswald, 30, PA

In regards to approach, for me, I appreciated the honest approach my wife took with me. She shared her heart with me and her concerns and wanted affirmation that I had her exclusively in mind to being my wife. She encountered some anxieties that made her second guess our relationship. I informed her that I did have her in mind; however, there were some specific goals I needed to accomplish prior to initiating the engagement process (i.e. job, living on my own, establishing myself after college, and etc). These were pearls of wisdom that I received from my surrogate Father that helped me to better prepare for the next phase of my relationship with my wife. I asked her how she found strength and peace. She said that she found her rest in Christ and leaned on Him to trust my word.

I am a firm believer that if a person loves and cares for another as much as they say they do, then they will listen attentively to the pearls of each other’s heart.
Brandon, 27, DC