So, you’ve been mentally designing your wedding since your first rom-com marathon in middle school. Your Pinterest board has more engagement ring styles than a Tiffany’s catalog, and your TikTok algorithm is serving you nothing but “proposal reaction videos” (yes, we all cry at those). Meanwhile, your great-aunt Carol won’t stop winking and asking, “When’s the big day?” as if you have some secret intel you’re withholding.
But before you start drafting the perfect “OMG, I SAID YES!” Instagram caption, let’s talk about the real deal, keeping your relationship strong before the ring actually slides onto your perfectly manicured finger. Because let’s be honest, love is magical, but so is drama if you don’t keep things in check.
1. Communicate Like You’re Not in a Rom-Com
Sure, the silent treatment makes for great tension in a movie, but in real life? Not so much. If you’re feeling anxious about the future, tell your partner instead of side-eyeing them every time they open Instagram (no, they’re not looking at engagement rings just because you liked 27 of them). Open, honest, and slightly awkward conversations about expectations will save you from unnecessary meltdowns.
2. Surprise! You’re Not the Same Person
You adore brunch; they think eggs before noon are criminal. You love reality TV; they have an unhealthy attachment to obscure documentaries. That’s fine. Being in a relationship doesn’t mean you have to become clones of each other. Appreciate your differences instead of forcing them to love oat milk lattes and The Bachelor (but honestly, who doesn’t?).
3. Meet the In-Laws, Master the Poker Face
Ah yes, the pre-engagement rite of passage: interacting with the people who might one day become your family. Whether his mom gives you unsolicited skincare advice or his dad wants to discuss tax brackets, keep it cool. Find common ground, smile through the weirdness, and remember, this is just a preview of future Thanksgiving debates.
4. Engagement Ring Expectations: Reality vs. Instagram
The pressure to have a perfect engagement ring moment is real. But while influencer proposals feature drone footage and orchestras, real life includes sweaty hands and nervous stuttering. Instead of obsessing over the carat size, focus on the meaning behind it (but, like, maybe drop subtle hints if you’re against heart-shaped diamonds).
5. Practice Teamwork (Before Wedding Planning Turns You Into Enemies)
News flash: If you two can’t decide on a weekend brunch spot without passive-aggressive sighs, planning a wedding together might be… challenging. Start practicing teamwork now, compromise on little things, like which Netflix show to binge, before you’re making high-stakes decisions like venue vs. open bar.
6. Keep the Romance Alive (Without Waiting for a Proposal)
Don’t put your relationship in “auto-pilot until proposal” mode. Plan cute date nights, write silly love notes, and make out in parking lots like you’re in a 90s rom-com. Love is in the little moments, not just the big Instagrammable ones.
7. Remember: An Engagement Isn’t a Finish Line
Getting engaged isn’t the “happily ever after”, it’s just another exciting chapter. So, enjoy where you are now, because someday you’ll miss the simplicity of just being together without a seating chart argument looming over your head.
Ready to Spill the Tea?
What’s the funniest or weirdest pre-engagement moment you’ve had? Drop it in the comments, I promise I won’t judge (much). And if you’ve mastered the art of dodging the “When are you getting engaged?” question, teach us your ways!