For same-sex couples, marriage is a step that is still somewhat new. Legal for several years now, weddings between same-sex couples require as much preliminary work as any other arrangement. Naturally, some concerns can come up along the way. If you’ve been waiting for your significant other to pop the question, you might not be sure how to drop hints that you’re ready and waiting. While it is always best to be direct and discuss such matters openly, you also might feel like you’re a broken record. It is always wise to make sure you’re on the same page as a romantic partner when it comes to matters of the future. Consider these tips regarding safely dropping hints about marriage and making a plan.

Setting Goals

Couples are always discussing future goals. When the year comes to a close, for example, it is common for people to talk about resolutions. If this topic should come up, it is a good time to introduce marriage as an idea. Tying the knot is a big step that many people view as a milestone. When talking about all you hope to accomplish in the coming year, it’s entirely safe and sensible to mention marriage. If this has never been brought up before, this is a natural way to bring the conversation about.

It is important to really listen to your partner when this idea is first brought to discussion. If your partner states that they’re not interested in marriage, that’s a red-flag for someone who expects to get married. People usually stick to their guns on such matters. You may not want to invest more time with someone who doesn’t want the same things out of life.

Big Changes

Though many people can feel rushed or uncomfortable when the topic of marriage comes up, there are plenty of occasions when the idea needs to be brought to attention. Maybe you or your partner are offered a new job that involves moving to a new city. This is the perfect time to talk about your future together. You can’t expect to move across the country for someone who doesn’t know if they want to settle down. Any big life change merits a conversation about where your relationship is headed.

A career change is just one example of this. You might find yourself thinking about the future and realize you’d like to go back to school. Maybe you’d like to do charitable work internationally, or even join the military. A conversation about your relationship’s standing is a perfect time for safely dropping hints to see if marriage fits into the picture. Again, it’s always best to separate from someone who doesn’t have the same vision about the future as you do.

Wedding Bells Are Ringing

It is also natural to bring up the topic of marriage when it is all around you. If friends and family members are announcing engagements left and right, you might want to bring up the idea to your partner. This can also be a sensible discussion to have when you’re attending a wedding. When romance is in the air and everyone you know is getting hitched, it can inspire you to think about your own future and where your connection is taking you.

Getting married might be a natural step in a relationship’s progression, but not all people are interested in such a shift. Before you spend too many years with someone, it is wise to test the waters and see if you share a general agreement about the direction you’d like your love story to take.