With Valentines Day around the corner, you see the typical gifts stocked in every store. Many women can expect to receive these token gifts: flowers, a box of chocolates, or a card. Some hope for something more meaningful this season: a small jewelry box containing an engagement ring, the symbol of moving their relationship to the next level.



Being proposed to is such a memorable occasion for anyone. My husband surprised me with a traditional military saber arch with him kneeling at the end, with ring in hand, and a simple question that changed my life forever. Even if he wasn't the one for me, it would have been hard to say no to such a proposal. Accepting it was truly the best choice I have ever made.

Sadly, the joy of this event fades all too soon for many new brides as the hype and the excitement of the wedding goes away and real life together begins. All too often, women fall for the presentation of the moment, and forget to ask themselves another important question ahead of time: "Is he the right one for me?"

Today, lots of couples choose to slide instead of decide in their relationships. They become acquainted with one another and like each other enough to go out. When nothing better comes along, they continue to stay with each other. After a while, they realize they've gotten along okay together and decide to move in together. Sooner or later, they get married for similar reasons. It's just easier to move the relationship forward than it is to move on and let go, opening the door for a better relationship for the both of them. Through it all, they never stopped to ask, "Is this the right one for me?"

Recent studies actually report a higher divorce rate among couples who lived together before they married. Why? I believe it is because of the way people are deciding on their spouses. People are sliding into marriage instead of making a conscious choice on whether or not they were compatible with the other person.

This doesn't have to be you. As you wait for him to pop the question, take time to an equally important question. Decide if he really is the right one for you. It will make all the difference in how you remember his proposal ten years from now.

How can you honestly know if he's the right one? You're heart it too caught up in everything to make any sort of logical decision. And your friends and family all are biased in one way or another. What you need is an impartial process to guide your heart. Unbiased information, compatibility tests combined with an honest evaluation of the relationship is a good way to start answering this question and knowing what to do this February 14th.