I Love(d) You, I’m Sorry
Getting engaged is a big milestone in the life of so many people. You met someone to share your life with, you’re okay living in their space (this is a huge deal - not everyone has the same level of cleanliness and TV habits, trust me), and you have taken this huge step with this person in an often public manner. It can be devastating when it doesn’t work out. It’s not always big issues, but a lot of times, it has something to do with not being on the same page. People can be incompatible on major issues: religion, having children, where to live long term, even what holidays to spend with each other’s families, and this can be something that isn’t evident at the beginning or middle of a relationship.
Some things to keep in mind with engagements:
The Ring - If you are given or are giving someone a ring to signify an engagement, that is a gift. The person who is given the ring often times gets to keep the ring, unless they are the ones breaking off the engagement, in which case, they may have to give it back. Be REALLY sure this is the person you want to be with for life before giving them the family emerald cut 5 carat stunner.
Being on the Same Page - Before you decide to propose, sit down with this person, and talk about important things, such as; religion, children, family relationships, and life goals. If your boyfriend has a dream to spend his 30s backpacking around Europe, and you want to be raising a family during that time, it may not work out.
Asset Protection - I get it. It’s the least romantic thing to think of the end of a relationship, especially when things are rosy. But if there are significant discrepancies in the financial status of two parties that want to legally tie themselves to each other, it can be a point of contention. Some examples of this are two people who earn widely disparate salaries, or someone who is coming into a relationship with a successful business, or with a trust fund, and someone who owns nothing. It can be helpful to have a document that keeps your assets separate, and sets guidelines for how future assets will be handled.
