At some point in our lives, we want to get married, settle down, and have a family with the right person to grow old with. But before that happens, we have to find the right person for us. Of course, this isn’t something that you can just do in a matter of weeks or months since finding the right person means that you have to build a relationship through trust, companionship, and communication.

In light of a public health crisis, many couples have found themselves stuck in different parts of the world. With the chaos that’s being caused by the pandemic, many individuals are separated from their partners that might be thousands of miles away. Before the pandemic, many individuals have already been in long-distance relationships. But the recent global events that have transpired in the past 7 to 11 months have made these types of relationships even more difficult. Despite the stress the pandemic has inflicted on much of the population, many people still remain hopeful and optimistic.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and there are going to be couples who want to “tie the knot” with their partner. Although many people want to get engaged, there are still many things to think about and consider before you can get down on one knee and propose. So what are some things that you’ll need to remember? Is it the right time? Here’s what you’ll need to know.

When Should You Start Making it Official?

For many couples who have been with their partners for years, and sometimes even months, the “feeling” of making things official will just come naturally. Most of the time, couples don’t have to discuss the matter and will start fully committing to an engagement process without a label. However, there are others who have insecurities and a history of past relationships that can undermine their decision for future plans.

This will usually lead to most individuals seeking confirmation so that both parties will know that the relationship has gone towards the next phase. Let’s face it: Most individuals that are dating to marry someone and settle down don’t want to waste time in a relationship that doesn’t have any potential future.

When it comes to relationships that are long long-distance, the process of knowing “whether it’s the right time” or not can be even more complicated. There are several factors that come into play when it comes to long-distance relationships, and most couples will struggle to read the body language and emotional state of someone that is hundreds (or thousands) of miles away.

Of course, there are long-distance couples that already exist where both had made unilateral decisions on commitment, engagement, or marriage right before they were in a long-distance relationship. For these couples, they won’t need to make decisions anymore since they’ve already made it official.

However, those that have met through communicating online will usually have a relationship that’s already long-distance. Compared to the traditional relationship where both parties will be able to process the relationship naturally, long-distance relationships won’t develop in the same way. Due to the distance, the relationship is often built around communication and establishing a good level of trust instead of having a physical connection.

Trust and constant communication are what will usually lead to better commitment, especially when making it official.

Legally Tying the Knot

To ensure that your marriage is official and legal in the eyes of the law, it’s important to first consult with legal professionals in the matter. Fortunately, some lawyers specialize in family law and marriage that can help you with your situation. Law firms like Lewis & Matthews, P.C. can help expedite the process while also processing papers quickly and efficiently.

But once you’ve made your relationship official and made things clear both officially and legally, you’ll still need to do your part in staying committed to the relationship. Being committed to a long-distance relationship might be difficult even during troubling times, but you will see better days ahead. Although there will be times that you’re not quite sure what your partner is doing, it’s still important to give them an adequate level of trust as this is paramount in keeping the relationship alive.

Conclusion

Getting engaged and married is a life-long commitment and choice, so couples should think things through right before making any final decisions. While this can happen naturally for most couples, many couples that have to rely on constant communication through the internet and online devices will need more time to weigh-in on different factors.

Although long-distance relationships can be a bit more daunting and emotionally-challenging, it’s possible.