A woman proposing to her man isn't just a phenomenon we see on shows like Friends and Sex and the City anymore. Close to 10 percent of proposals are from women to men, and most guys are receptive to a woman's proposal, according to iVillage. So should you propose to your beau? First, assess the situation. Is your relationship naturally headed in the direction of marriage? If it seems like a drastic measure, then perhaps you should hold off. But if you're already sharing most aspects of your lives, such as living together or spending most every night together, then perhaps it's time to take the next step. Be sure you are totally ready for the commitment and don't want to jump into marriage for some sort of contrived "fairytale" reason. Next, gauge his readiness. If he seems unenthused about a future with you or doesn't talk about your commitment to one another, then it's possible you may face rejection. Assess how he talks about and reacts to scenarios in which proposals have happened, even if they're hypothetical or made up on your part.
Maybe you can fabricate a story about a friend who proposed to her boyfriend and gauge his reaction. Another assessment to make before you pop the question is whether or not he has the same plan in the works. Your friends may not want to spill the beans if he's consulted them about proposing, but if you let them know that you plan to pop the question, then they may try to talk you out of it... which could indicate that he does plan to propose. Watch his behavior - meeting incognito with your parents, checking out your jewelry collection and making plans for an out-of-the-ordinary activity might be signs that he plans to ask you. In that case, it's up to you whether you want to go ahead with the proposal, but you may want to wait for him to beat you to it! If you're ready and think he is too, then you can go about it in a few ways. Choose an activity or setting that you both love, or have a romantic date followed by some intimacy in the bedroom - if he's not asleep, it would be hard for him to say no to marriage at this point! If you don't have a ring, no problem - use some sort of token that can act as a stand-in until you shop together...if he accepts. Grab something on hand - a beer tab, napkin ring or a ring out of the quarter machine will suffice. Get creative and make it personal for you both - it's sure to be a moment no one will forget!
