How to Propose

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Joe Cuenco with Family Resources and today we're going to talk about how to pop that big question, specifically how to propose. Well, just how does one purpose marriage? Well, before we put our caps on and actually go through the proposal, the important thing is to understand what's the barometer of our relationship. Are we ready to take that next big step? What's a healthy relationship? Are the foundation fundamentals there? Is there love, trust, respect, friendship, communication? Because if those things aren't there, then these things need to be attended to and worked on before you progress to the next step. Have you talked about long term goals, marriage, family, living together, a future together, retirement, etc? And, if you have, then how to propose, just becomes the very next step. Then it really becomes a question of the execution. What is it that you want to do? Do you want to be indirect, or do you want to be direct? For example: there may be ways to drop hints, sending cards, emails, little messages, saying I'd love to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be with you forever, or the opposite way, the direct way, is when will you pop the question? Or, when would you like to get married? Just talk about, you know, dates and more tactics, but you have to decide that things are right for you before you make that next step in a relationship progression. Next consideration will be that since this will be the most memorable event in your life, perhaps, you want it to be a very special and unique occurrence, nice dinner, romantic, or a nice venue, perhaps you go out of town, take her to her favorite location, so make this a nice event and it can be low key, low budget, or you can do something more grandiose. There's lots of information on the internet about how to make your proposal grandiose, but the real key is that you know, you're directing the communication that this is something that you both want to do, and it's just a matter of timing. John Van Epp has done some good work on timing of relationship, and there are work shops available within resources, and other marriage education to help you with this actual proposal process and making sure you're ready. That's how we propose, I'm Joe Cuenco with Family Resources, relationships for life."