When Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds secretly tied the knot, we were thrilled. But still, Blake is only 25-a little on the young side. So we got a bit curious and asked the experts for signs that let you know you're ready to get married. Be sure you check these off before you walk down the aisle.



By Annie Daly

1. You've Dated Around
We're not saying you have to pull a Jen Aniston and go through tons of dudes before you find The One. But having a few solid long term relationships under your belt does help you figure out what qualities are important to you and what makes a relationship work-so you truly appreciate your future hubs when you find him.

2. You Share Similar Goals
Let's say he wants to do the suburbia thing stat, while you'd love to travel the globe for a few years. If you get hitched, one of you will end up disappointed...you're in separate mind-sets right now and prioritize different things. Settle down with a man you're more or less on the same page with: you both want to live in the city, you both want (or don't want) kids, etc.

3. You Don't Want to Change Him
Look, you don't have to adore everything about your guy. But you do have to make peace with the fact that he's always going to sack out on the couch and be glued to ESPN on Sunday afternoons, and he'll never stop slurping the milk in his cereal no matter how many times you say it annoys you. You can't change a man (but you can tweak him), and trying to will make you frustrated...not to mention bitchier.

4. Your Connection Is Tight Out of Bed, Too
When you first started seeing each other, staying between the sheets all weekend was pretty legit. But for your bond to be strong enough for the long haul, you need more than a physical connection-meaning you need to know that you can have just as much fun together with your clothes on as you do when they're off.

5. You're Not Living Out a Bridal Fantasy
Sure, it seems like every time you sign onto Facebook, another pal has posted pics of herself in a stunning white gown. Sigh. But remember: Getting hitched isn't about the ceremony-it's about what happens after your big day. You'd better be thinking about your future life with him, not just your future bridal party photos (and how pretty they'll look in that fab silver frame).

6. You Both Try to Resolve Fights
After you have a disagreement, it may seem easiest to apologize and move on-you know, do the whole "pretend it never happened" thing and go forward. But sweeping conflicts under the rug only sets you up for a bigger blow-outs down the road, because the issues will likely resurface if left unresolved. If you can't talk things out rationally, you're not ready.

7. Your Friends and Family Dig Him
Of course, it's your life, so you have the final say. Thing is, choosing a partner is a big deal, and your inner circle's input does mean something. It's fine if a few family members or friends aren't huge fans of you two as a couple; you can't please 'em all. But if everyone seems to think you're a poor match, ask them why. They might be onto something.

SOURCES: Carole Altman, PhD, author of You can Be Your Own Sex Therapist; Carol J. Bruess, PhD, author of What Happy Couples Do; Marni Battista, relationship expert in Los Angeles; Jen Kirsch, relationship expert in Toronto for Cosmo TV's Love Track

LINK

Women should pay close attention to numbers 1, 5, and 6. Men should pay attention to numbers 4, 4, and 4. Oh, also number 4.

K, the #4 is for men, cos there are too many beautifool fools around nowadays.

190:

Only one person start thread, respond to thread


Madness in pratice


This girl ehn?

The first post was the article. Nothing in that post was mine. I'm allowed to respond, am I not?

ogugua88: Women should pay close attention to numbers 1, 5, and 6. Men should pay attention to numbers 4, 4, and 4. Oh, also number 4.

which yeye attention, 70% of nigeria marriagess head to divorce, why marriagge is over rated, na pikin the koko

I will only disagree with No. 1 & No. 4. Those to me are the major reasons y most marriages break in today world.


BTW, they should be emotionally/spiritually/physically/financially mature. thats another good sign. Most ppl jump into marriage without those maturity in them, so they jump out fast

Im not worried about #4. We'll just stay in bed all day

I am so not ready!

Not even ready in the next 5 years

That article is preventing future Nairaland divorces. O dim nma.

?

I think I'm ready

ogugua88:
1. You've Dated Around
We're not saying you have to pull a Jen Aniston and go through tons of dudes before you find The One. But having a few solid long term relationships under your belt does help you figure out what qualities are important to you and what makes a relationship work-so you truly appreciate your future hubs when you find him.

ogugua88: Women should pay close attention to numbers 1, 5, and 6. Men should pay attention to numbers 4, 4, and 4. Oh, also number 4.

Ogugua, does one really need to *date around to figure out important qualities?

I think I should get married today(!)

ITbomb: I think I'm ready

Me too


Now where's abiL or annita19

190:

Me too


Now where's abiL or annita19

#WTF. I'm sure you didn't go thru

4. Your Connection Is Tight Out of Bed, Too

before writing that.
I remember your post to her saying she look more beautiful without her cloth on

With all thosse points listed above, honestly, I'm far from being ready!

I"m ready but were the money?the body & soul is willing but pocket is weak.

Recipe for disaster. Financial stability not listed. Recipe for disaster. Financial stability not listed.

@OP, I'll score myself 5/7. I guess that's a pass mark

born2fuck: marriagge is over rated.

Gbam!

I need to do number one. Get experience to know what I want.

Wetin?

Ask me again

Good piece Ogugua.
Marry Marry Marry!!!
Everywhere na Marry.

ogugua88: That article is preventing future Nairaland divorces. O dim nma.

So Ogugua ma asusu igbo. Odi nmma O

i read all dis post in so many form on nairaland every day its funny,u pple always xclude money, if a guy does not have money no naija girl will want to marry him full stop

yeye4live: i read all dis post in so many form on nairaland every day its funny,u pple always xclude money, if a guy does not have money no naija girl will want to marry her full stop

are u refering to a gay or straight marriage?

When Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds secretly tied the knot, we were thrilled. But still, Blake is only 25-a little on the young side. So we got a bit curious and asked the experts for signs that let you know you're ready to get married. Be sure you check these off before you walk down the aisle.



By Annie Daly

1. You've Dated Around
He is a player, Shes an Ashawo

2. You Share Similar Goals


3. You Don't Want to Change Him
Meaning he/she is perfect.. And since there is no perfect b=person, then that means one of you is pretending!!

4. Your Connection Is Tight Out of Bed, Too
Very funny!!! Meaning After-sex talks...


5. You're Not Living Out a Bridal Fantasy
Most women in relationships are living bridal fantasies..

6. You Both Try to Resolve Fights
Best point on the darn list

7. Your Friends and Family Dig Him
Very not important.. Frisends and Family shouldnt dictate who you date and marry!! The relationship is between two people not a commuinity of people..

SOURCES: Alusi Okija, PhD, author of "You can use Juju to find true love"; Carol J. Bruess, PhD, author of What Happy Couples Do; Marni Battista, relationship expert in Los Angeles; Jen Kirsch, relationship expert in Toronto for Cosmo TV's Love Track

LINK