If your soulmate finally popped the big question you are probably a little dazed! After all, this is a lifetime commitment. And you just got engaged.
Once the engagement ring hits your finger and the emotional high is waning, you may be uncertain what to do. If you are wondering what happens next-don’t panic. Reality may be setting in and that can be intimidating. If you haven’t gone through the process before, be calm.
Going from “just dating” status to “engaged” is a shock to the system. And it’s just the beginning. In due time, an engagement will have to include planning your wedding and contemplating the future with your new life partner-to-be.
Enjoy the Moment!
Before you run around in circles breaking the good news…take a minute. You may be tempted to post the engagement on Instagram. But that’s no way to tell your Mother. The minute you start texting everyone to share your life changing event, there will be a flood of questions. And you may not have all the answers.
So breathe. This is not the time to meet other people’s expectations. Instead of shouting it from the rooftops. Take a little time to be a couple. Be together. Celebrate yourselves. Starting tomorrow it will be a different world. Just for today enjoy the intimacy and sweetness of each other. It’s an exciting time. Your friends and family are going to be excited too. Together make a few strategic decisions, so you will have answers when the inevitable questions come your way. You may want to set a date, or at least decide if it’s going to be a long or short engagement.
Breaking the News!
Just a hint, tell your Mom and/or Dad first, unless you have kids, that is. The people that you love the most need to know first. Because those people will be sharing the excitement of your life from now on.
The genie is out of the bottle now. Time to move quickly to notify your closest friends and extended family. You don’t want Grandma to find out on Facebook. So text out some photos of the ring before you send it out on social media.
Now, it’s time to alert the web of your new status. You could even plan an engagement party. If it’s going to be a short engagement you can forget the party. You may want a celebration if it’s going to be awhile till the wedding.
After all is said and done, this marks a new chapter for you and your forever person. You have found love and chosen to share your life with someone. It’s a serious commitment, but it’s a time to celebrate. Feel the joy.
Celebrate the Engagement!
A party to mark the engagement can be as formal as a sit down dinner or as carefree as an outdoor barbecue. There could be dancing or toasts or maybe football on a big screen TV. It’s all up to the happy couple. You have come this far, now is the time to start making those “partner” decisions. Are you a traditional couple? Or will you be charting a new path? It’s a merger of personalities that begins here.
This is the starting point, where y’all are working together to assure you both get what you want. And if you are not already aware, it’s time to let each other know what makes you happy. How you celebrate this amazing commitment is the first step in planning a bright new future together. Good luck!
