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When did the realization hit you?
Four months into the relationship?
Or maybe you’ve been hurt before, maybe bitter experience has taught you to keep a tight rein on your emotions. So perhaps it took a couple of years.
And of course, it could have been little more than a week if you’re a true incurable romantic.
One thing’s for sure – when it does hit, you’re left in no doubt whatsoever:
You’re ready to commit without reservations. This one is The One.
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So what next? It’s a scary moment.
Maybe you know for sure that they got there first and they’ve been waiting for you to catch up. But it’s more likely you don’t know for sure how they feel.
If you’re not ready to buy that ring yet, we hear you. Wouldn’t it be great if there was some way to put yourself out there…without it seeming like you’re laying down an ultimatum?
Well, you’re in luck – because we’ve prepared a list of subtler ways to make the depth of your feelings known, while stopping short of the biggest gesture of all…
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1. For some couples, commitment is purely emotional. But for most, it entails sharing responsibilities – and sharing, well, stuff.
A great way to move things forward is to suggest a big joint purchase. We’re not advising you to jump straight in and suggest going halves on an apartment. But a car, a classy piece of furniture, even something as utilitarian as a washing machine – any of these can be the first step towards the full-blown “what’s mine is yours”.
It’s an exchange of trust that will start to knit your lives together – a gesture that says “maybe I can still imagine life without you…but it’s getting harder”.
2. And then, of course, there’s the ultimate couple-purchase – getting a pet.
How many couples do you know who committed to joint pet-ownership and then a couple of years later were hitched and planning a family?
When you suggest getting that kitty or pupper, you show that you’re thinking ahead in years rather than months. You show that you don’t mind being somewhat tied to home – so long as the company’s right. And also…you show that you trust your partner to take on (near enough) 50% of the consequent waste-disposal duties. And that’s a beautiful thing.
3. No doubt you’ve got a thousand cute photos by now of you and your squeeze. And no doubt they’re all hidden away in phones, memory sticks and the half-forgotten depths of your PC.
Time to dig one of those adorable couple photos out – and make an example of it. Get it professionally printed and you can show your love off right there on the walls of your home.
You should think about Canvas Prints. Upload any digital photo to a trusted online shop like MyPicture.com.au and they’ll do all the work for you. Your loved-up portrait will be reproduced with 21st-century precision and printed on the most romantically timeless medium possible – real artist’s canvas.
You’ll be stunned to see how far printing technology has come. Expect super-vibrant colors and fabulously sharp definition. Your new smoochy print will draw the eye of any guest as soon as they walk in – and they’ll know at a glance that things are going from serious to serious-plus.
4. On vacation we learn more about each other – all those little moments together linger in the memory and strengthen our bond for months and years to come.
You’re already thinking about the next one, right?
Well, think about this – perhaps it’s time to plan a joint career break.
It’s not feasible for everyone of course, but if you can make it work then a few months of traveling together is sure to be an unforgettable milestone in your lives. And you know what? A shoestring budget just makes it more real – and more rewarding.
Russia, Peru, Vietnam… You’ll get to know a new part of the word better than you ever imagined. And have no doubt: you and your partner will get to know each other up and down, inside and out. The perfect chance to see what your love’s really made of.
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You need to make sure you’re on solid ground before you go down on one knee. We hope these tips help you lay the groundwork for the big moment.
And we wish you a lifetime of love and fulfillment!
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This content is sponsored by MyPicture.com.au
Featured provided by Shutterstock
Inset photos provided by the author.