When is a couple is ready to get engaged?

[Fleur de Lis]

I agree it's when you realize you can't live without your significant other. My now-husband started talking about going to grad school out of state, and I just couldn't see myself being happy with him far away - like part of my livelihood was leaving. So we got married and I put him through grad school 8 hours away from home. Yeah, it was hard, but worth it. As far as accompishing everything you want beforehand, I think this is true to an extent. I graduated from college, had my own apartment, paid all my own bills, etc. before getting married, and that was really important to me. But then his grad school became "our" goal, and I have the freedom to accomplish things with his full support, as well.

[Infamous12]

I agree with aephi alum, though I'm not married - I feel as though I will just have to know. But it differs for everyone. There are folks with 28 years of wedded bliss under their belts and they only knew each other for six months before MARRIAGE (not engagement, marriage!) and folks with 2 years of mediocracy and tolerance after knowing each other for 10 years.

ETA: Fleur de Lis, your comment reminded me of that saying, "Don't settle for the one you can live with, be with the one you can't live without." (Attribution?)

[Fleur de Lis]

I like that quote! It's funny you used the word "settle" because I always use that word with my single friends. My advice to single people who don't want to be: 1) If you are a person of faith, get yourself right with God first so you don't look to a man or woman to complete you. 2) NEVER SETTLE! I didn't date a ton in college, but then I met my husband who fit everything on "the list" and yet completely exceeded my expectations. And you know what? I still want to kill him sometimes. Life is too short and marriage is too hard to link yourself to someone that's less than you hoped for.