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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be sad that I’ve never been proposed to?

87 replies

Macaroni46 · 01/04/2026 14:35

I’m a mid 50s divorcee who’s just come out of a long term relationship so am feeling quite bruised at the moment. Despite having been married, I’ve never been proposed to. The older I get, the less likely this is to happen. I still live in hope of receiving a proposal (not saying I necessarily want to get married though!) and would need to find a new partner but am thinking it’s increasingly unlikely. I feel really sad that I will go to my grave never having experienced someone actively wanting to marry me. Am I being ridiculous?

OP posts:
ThatAvidLemonUser · 01/04/2026 15:09

I totally get this as I feel the same way. Ive had a long term marriage (20+ years but its long since over) but we drifted into it, by me saying we either moved the relationship on (got a home together and marriage- his family religious so in the mid 90's marriage was needed to have the home) or we went our separate ways.

Im not desperate to get married, but Id love someone to think enough of me to put some effort into planning a proposal. Nothing flash, and certainly not for socials (I dont like them) but just a bit of thought and someone else to take the lead on it would be really nice. I also feel sad that I might never have this experience from a romance perspective. Its good to know Im not the only one.

JumpinJehoshaphat · 01/04/2026 15:00

I totally get that. Being proposed to by a man is one of the most traditional and deeply romantic moments a woman can experience in her life.

Blueunicornthistle · 01/04/2026 14:56

The marriage is the important thing, not the proposal, the engagement or the wedding.

Are you imagining some kind of elaborate grand Instagram worthy proposal? Because those don’t represent great love or passion. It’s just a production.

If you don’t want to get married it’s not really the proposal you are feeling sad about, so what is really at the heart of this feeling?

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 01/04/2026 14:52

I've never been proposed to or married. It would have been nice to be asked, I know what you mean.

50NotFat · 01/04/2026 14:51

Been married twice and engaged once (so 3 relationships). Never been proposed to either! In each case marriage was discussed then went engagement ring shopping!

Tootles1 · 01/04/2026 14:50

Surely if you’ve been married before someone actively wanted to marry you. I’m happily married but never got the lovey dovey surprise proposal and can’t say I was bothered by it. Our relationship just kind of evolved. Having said that there is nothing wrong to wanting the romance of a surprise proposal.

Macaroni46 · 01/04/2026 14:47

I suggested we get married as I was pregnant and he agreed. It was a tiny, very low key wedding with no guests.

OP posts:
ProudAmberTurtle · 01/04/2026 14:47

Isn't the whole point of proposals is because they lead to marriage?

If you've been married then you did have someone who wanted to commit to you, surely?

ThatFairy · 01/04/2026 14:45

So your husband was like aah we better just get married then. And you were like ok ?

VickyEadieofThigh · 01/04/2026 14:43

But you've been married...?

Lottapianos · 01/04/2026 14:42

Meh. Never had a proposal either - been together 20 years but not married. I think proposing is all a bit Bronte sisters to be honest. I think getting married should be a conversation, like with any other big decision in life

Blondeshavemorefun · 01/04/2026 14:42

You were married so how did they ask you / happen ?