A DORSET relationships charity is giving advice to those thinking of proposing on Valentine’s Day.

According to research by relationships charity Relate, Valentines Day is a one of the most popular times of the year to propose and with 2016 also being a leap year, there could be even more proposals on February 29.

A recent survey by Relate, Marriage Care and Relationships Scotland and Marriage Care found that sharing problems, exclusivity and marriage were the top three signs of commitment in a relationship, with sharing problems coming out top across all age groups.

But if you are considering proposing to your partner either this February or any time in the near future, how can you be certain that they are the right person for you? Relate Dorset and Marriage Care have put together some tips to help you decide whether you’re ready to take your relationship to the next level.

Relate counsellor, Clare Prendergast, said: “Getting married is wonderful and exciting but for some people, making the actual decision to propose can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. One of the problems is the huge emphasis we place on finding ‘the one’. If there’s supposedly only one person for us, we sometimes worry that the odds are stacked against us and we probably haven’t found them.

“If you’re having doubts, it may help to focus less on the idea of that perfect person and ask yourself how your partner makes you feel. If they make you happy and support you then the chances are they are probably the right person for you. If not, then think twice about proposing or you may regret it later down the line.”

Relate said things to consider before popping the question include:

• Ask yourself why you want this- Do you want to get married because you want to spend the rest of your lives together or are there other motivations like the fact that all your friends are getting married?

• Remember ‘the one’ is a myth. It can be tempting to think there’s someone out there who is perfect for us – but the truth is, that perfect person doesn’t exist – you need to work at relationships.

• Ask if they show you love and support. You need to know the person you are marrying cares about you and will be there for you when you need them most.

• Understand that some doubts are normal. If you are having strong doubts, be sure to listen to them but remember they can come from all sorts of places, including childhood. It might be a good idea to speak to your partner and/or a relationship counsellor.

• Don’t feel like you have to get married. Not everyone wants to get married. Whether you cohabit, date but live apart, enter into a civil partnership or a marriage, the most important thing is the quality of your relationship.

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