Kiran Athar
In the dating world, it can be tough to figure out a man’s true intentions. Is he looking for something casual, or does he want to settle down and make a commitment?
It’s hard to tell!
But with that being said, when a man is serious about getting married, there are a number of clues he’ll inevitably give away.
So, if you’ve got doubts about a man you’re dating, by the end of this article you’ll know whether it’s time to move on, or start wedding dress shopping!
Here are 12 signs a man is dating for marriage:
1) He’s clear about his intentions
The very first sign your man has marriage on his mind is if he says so!
Rather than giving you vague answers about what he wants for his future, he’ll be straight up – he’s dating to find the one.
But the important thing here is to see whether his actions align with his words.
If he says he’s looking for his future wife but proceeds to date multiple other women and is out partying every night, he could just be saying what you want to hear.
On the other hand, if he tries to get to know you on a deeper level and make you a part of his future and vice versa, this man is dating for marriage!
2) He’s invested in your future
Another sign a man is dating for marriage is if he is actively invested in your future.
Put simply:
He wants to see you do well, and he supports and encourages you to achieve your goals!
This is a telling sign because a man who has no interest in putting a ring on it wouldn’t give two hoots. He’s only interested in the here and now.
But a man who wants to build a life together, have a family one day and settle down, will make the effort to discuss future plans with you!
3) He introduces you to his inner circle
Have you met his mom? His best friends and siblings?
If so, there’s a good chance the man you’re dating is in it for the long run…
Here’s the thing, men generally don’t introduce their loved ones to a girl unless they’re super serious about her.
By introducing you to his inner circle, he’s trying to gauge how well you get along with his nearest and dearest, and of course, he wants to know what they think of you!
And it works both ways…
4) He wants to know your loved ones
Not only does he want you to get involved in his life and meet his tribe, but he wants to get to know yours too!
Trust me, when a man makes an effort to get to know your parents, family, and friends, he’s not messing around.
He’s showing you that he wants to be involved in every aspect of your life – he’s not just looking for some fun.
And that’s not all…
He needs to get into their good books, especially if he’s thinking of asking a very important question that requires getting down on one knee!
5) He’s consistent
Another sign a man is dating for marriage is if he’s consistent…
This means his behavior doesn’t change from one day to the next. He’s kind, caring, and respectful, regardless of the external turbulences and stresses of the world.
In other words – he does what he says he will and always shows up for you!
This shows a man who is invested, someone who is taking your relationship seriously. He might not pop the question tomorrow, but you can be sure it’s on his mind!
6) He handles conflict maturely
Is the man you’re dating mature enough to talk things through whenever an issue crops up?
Or does he have a tantrum, ignore you for days on end and then come back like nothing happened?
If it’s the former scenario, it’s a good sign he’s dating you for marriage.
Having emotional maturity in testing situations shows that he’s more interested in finding solutions than creating problems.
He wants to build a solid foundation with you, where there’s open, honest communication and a willingness to grow together!
7) He talks about “we” not “I”
There’s nothing worse than dating someone only to hear them constantly refer to themselves – as if you’re not part of the equation.
So when a man switches from “mine” to “ours” and “I” to “we” – girl, he’s already picturing you as his future Mrs!
The truth is, it may seem like a small thing, but it shows a major shift in his mindset.
He’s no longer thinking of just himself, now he sees you guys as a unit, a team, a partnership!
8) He values your opinion
And when a man sees you as his “forever person”, he’ll take a great interest in your ideas and opinions.
He wants you to feel valued and important, and he genuinely cares about what you think.
And as much as he enjoys hearing your perspectives on things, he’ll also want to share his own. He’s essentially trying to get to know you better and vice versa.
So, if your man comes to you for advice (and actually listens to it), there’s a good chance he’s dating for marriage!
9) He’s financially responsible
Now, another sign a man is dating for marriage is if he’s got his finances in order…
This isn’t to say he has to be wildly rich or own a house outright, but if he’s responsible with his money and spends it on the right things (rather than partying, alcohol, and drugs), it shows a sense of maturity.
And this maturity is what will make him want to settle down and start a future with you!
But that’s not all…
Weddings aren’t cheap, and neither is buying a house or having kids! So if you’re dating a guy who’s sensible with his money, it could be because he’s got big plans.
10) He makes sacrifices for you
Sacrifice is a part of any committed relationship, so if your man is willing to make adjustments to accommodate you, it shows he’s serious!
Whether that’s redecorating his bachelor pad to make you feel more comfortable, or letting you order Chinese food even though his favorite is Italian, it’s the little things that show how much he cares.
And not to mention – when two people get married, sacrifice and compromise play a big role in making a marriage work.
So if your man is already doing this, he’s clearly preparing for the real deal!
11) He’s not afraid to be vulnerable with you
Even though we’re slowly moving away from the idea that men have to be super strong and never cry, many men still sadly feel like they can’t be open and vulnerable.
But when it comes to dating someone for marriage, if a man is serious about it, he’ll open his heart to you.
He might tell you things about his past that he’s never revealed to anyone else, or he’ll share his fears, hopes, and dreams for the future.
This shows he trusts you and wants you to understand who he is as a person, and how he came to be this way.
All of this points to one thing – he sees a future with you!
12) He’s committed
And finally, if the man you’re dating is totally committed to you and the relationship, there’s a pretty good chance he’s got marriage on his mind!
Even though you might still just be dating and not in a heavy, full-blown relationship just yet, if he honors his promises, spends time with you, and isn’t seeing someone else?
He’s a keeper!
This is a guy who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to get it. He’s at a time in his life when he feels mature, financially stable, and ready to start putting down roots.
Now, the question is, do you feel the same?
