engagement?

how long before you or your partner popped the question?

is it a must for your relationship?

the reason i am asking is my partner and i have been together for 8 years, we have lived together for 7 and a half years yet i worry that he will never ask me to marry him
every1 ive talked to has said why dont you ask him..but im a traditionalist, wants him to ask, get married and have kids
btw, we are both 25

thanx

Does he have any reason not to be ready?

im not sure

we have talked about and just doesnt comment on it or changes the subject
his mum has tried talking about it with him as well but exactly the same, just doesnt answer or talks about something else
his mother and father had been together happily for 25 years before his father passed away 4 years ago
just so confused

Try dropping hints. When you are next near a jewellrey store, go over and look at and admire the rings. Or mention that some friend from high school has just been married - even if you have to pretend, lol. He should soon get the hint.

xxazurexx - have done that, our friends are always dropping the hint to them always asking so when are you two getting married, having kids etc.
just says i dont know and leaves it at that
he knows i want to get married, have told him a number of times

Its either he is still thinking about missing out the single life, or he's afraid of what would happen to you guys when you get married.

Well I know one thing. If I was stuck in situation like this and was looking for marriage and kids and he wasn't sharing my enthusiasm....I'd leave.

It's been several years. He's had ample time and knows you well enough by now and should know by now if he wants to spend the rest of his life with you.

I've known situations like yours before and where couples have been together for a number of years and the guy is shy in regard to getting married. They split and funnily enough, the guy went on to marry another woman and only a few months afterwards. So I don't buy that the committment is what they are afraid of. What they are afraid of, is the committment to the 'wrong' person.

I think he isn't sure if he wants to be with you for life or not.