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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be fed up and disappointed by no proposal.

554 replies

PrettyTricky · 02/11/2019 09:28

This is quite lighthearted, but at the same time I feel quite miffed and a bit wtf?!

So, we've been together almost 6 years. We have been speaking about getting married and plan to next year though no date set. For months now my partner has been going on non stop about buying a ring, which apparently he now has in his possession- he keeps talking about it every day and saying how he can't wait to propose and that it will definitely be before Christmas. This has been going on since September now, and he mentions it all the time. All good. Was just waiting for the moment. Have kind of wished he would stop going on about it so much and just do it, but have tried to be patient.

We've had a lot going on the last while and made a big move to another part of the UK in summer which I have found particularly difficult. This week we went home for half term, and were child free as my dc was staying with family. I had been looking forward to this week SO much, and it's been fantastic. Weeks ago he made a big song and dance about booking a lovely restaurant while we were here which we went to last night, very romantic and one of my favourites. I had it in my head that this was definitely going to be the proposal, there could be no better time. He even hinted as much and I felt certain as it's the last time we will be child free before family visit at Christmas.

You know what's coming don't you? Well, I was all dressed up, all excited, thinking - this is IT. I swear every time he moved my stomach flipped over, starters came and went, main courses, dessert.....I even had a cup of tea to drag it out a bit in vain hope. Had a lovely time, but NOTHING. No proposal. No ring.

We go home tomorrow and are all booked up meeting friends and family today, so it won't be today. I've been quite irrationally miffed since we got back last night and I'm just thinking....would you just get the fuck on with it. He has the ring, I want to set a date and get planning, he had the perfect opportunity. What's the problem? We're in our forties, I'm over the faffing about, it's tiring, just ask already. It's not like he's gone off it, as this morning he's already been going on about how much he can't wait to marry me. It's all I could do not to shout "well bloody ask me, you twat".

I almost feel like he's spoiled it now, especially with the constant going on about it, it's just grating, and my enthusiastic 'oh I can't wait' responses are fast drying up and becoming 'just fucking do it would you, as I'm not getting any younger' (in my head clearly, I'm still trying to have good grace, but there's only so long I can keep it up).

Aibu to be disappointed and feel like it's just getting silly now?

OP posts:
NameChange789435 · 02/11/2019 11:35

"well bloody ask me, you twat". Grin Grin

Have this on a paddle and just hold it up like a Strictly judge every time he mentions it.

Shoxfordian · 02/11/2019 11:37

It sounds to me like he's keeping you in a holding pattern. Talk is cheap but where's your ring?

PicsInRed · 02/11/2019 11:38

I would add that by the time he did it, I was just saddened and tired of the whole thing and after all the teasing and build up, he just got down on one knee at home. What was that all about then? Control and grooming me to "put up". Nothing else.

anniemac1 · 02/11/2019 11:41

Why don't you propose? its the 21st century

AutumnRose1 · 02/11/2019 11:46

Vanhi “Each to their own but if you want to tie yourself to a man who thinks only men should propose, then it seems like this is what you need to deal with“

This. He’s showing you who he is.

Shoxfordian · 02/11/2019 11:47

Op doesn't propose because he's made a big thing of how the man should propose, meaning he can stop her asking him and decide when he might deign to ask her (never)

unfathomablefathoms · 02/11/2019 11:48

Yeh, having a partner who bans you from taking control of your own life is so romantic.

Witchinaditch · 02/11/2019 11:53

I agree it’s about control and not romantic at all, he’s completely playing mind games with you OP or he is a moron and thinks that the morning after a romantic meal with the mother of his children when he already supposedly has the ring is the time to say wow I can’t wait to be married to you! Op it’s just cruel.

PurpleFlower1983 · 02/11/2019 12:04

I would tell him in a kind way that you will be much more surprised if he doesn’t keep talking about it and then just wait.

DidntLikeRugbyAnyway · 02/11/2019 12:10

Tell him to fucking get on with it then.

Jellybeansincognito · 02/11/2019 12:12

I’d just say no when he asks.

Followed by- you’ll get your response before Valentine’s Day. 🤨

Twistables · 02/11/2019 12:13

This happened to me. By the time he proposed I was seething. BUT then it was so lovely I forgot all about my previous rage xx

Jellybeansincognito · 02/11/2019 12:13

Also tbh. The way he’s being you should really say no and move on to someone who actually wants to show you some love and respect.

Telling you every day that he’s going to propose soon is just emotional abuse tbh. He’s playing with you, especially taking you to situations where people typically get engaged.

madcatladyforever · 02/11/2019 12:17

Quite honestly I'd be so pissed off at this stage I'd probably say no when asked.
But then I'm Italian and have a very short fuse.
I'd say no followed by, "I'm not convinced your serious about this relationship or me".

RightYesButNo · 02/11/2019 12:21

You said you’re seeing a bunch of friends and family today. Any chance he’s set it up to include all of them? Perhaps just wishful thinking.

Otherwise, yes. You must say something. Don’t let this become a source of unhappiness (rightly so) for you in a relationship that yin say has otherwise great communication. Don’t accuse him, don’t deflate him. Just tell him you’re very excited about the engagement, but waiting for a surprise is always difficult, and would he mind not constantly bringing it up?

thepeopleversuswork · 02/11/2019 12:24

Jesus I coudn't be arsed with this.

I'm not one for old-fashioned chivalry at the best of times, I think its sexist nonsense I think the whole idea of being engaged is twee and awful.

But you both clearly like this sort of thing and he's being a dick, making you wait and teasing you with it. Its all about the gestures and the ceremony and he doesn't seem to consider your feelings at all.

Even if I were an engagement kind of person I would honestly have walked away from this by now.

I would just tell him if he doesn't crack on with it now you're splitting up.

Lockshunkugel · 02/11/2019 12:24

Go out and buy your own ring rather than waiting for him to produce one!

diddl · 02/11/2019 12:32

How is it romantic?

BareKneesDeCourcy · 02/11/2019 12:41

“I can’t wait for us to be married!”

“You clearly can. Shit or get off the pot, dickhead.”

Lockshunkugel · 02/11/2019 12:44

I would seriously suggest that you tell him that he is really upsetting you by dangling a proposal over you in this way. Explain that each time he mentions it, he is hurting you a bit more. Hopefully it isn’t his intention to be cruel and controlling but that is how he is behaving by doing this. I know this thread is supposed to be lighthearted but beware of marrying a nasty man, op.

DaveCoachesgavemetheclap · 02/11/2019 12:46

This reminds me of my first proper boyfriend (both 19) and how he kept dropping massive hints that he had bought me a ring for Valentine's Day. He kept it up for a few weeks and so imagine my disappointment when he bought me a scarf. He thought it was hilarious and so I binned the twat off. I suggest you do the same.

plightofthealbatross · 02/11/2019 12:49

I completely agree with others: this is not romance. This is control.

What was that all about then? Control and grooming me to "put up". Nothing else.

Exactly. Your feelings and wants comes second to his in the relationship. Make sure you understand that going in ... or be sensible and run.

beethebee · 02/11/2019 12:52

Lord this sounds tedious.

Forget waiting for him to get his act together. Just buy a stack of wedding magazines, plunk them on the table in front of him and say, 'Right. Let's get on with planning this wedding then.'

catspyjamas123 · 02/11/2019 12:52

Why do you want to get married to this control freak?

User12879923378 · 02/11/2019 12:54

This is why I don't think planned proposals are romantic. The relevant bit should be the bit where you decide you're getting married, which apparently you've already done. What's the point of the theatre around A Proposal after that? You made a joint decision to get married already. That's the exciting romantic bit. And yet somehow he is the sole gatekeeper of the timing of The Proposal because he's got testicles and you're constantly miserable and on tenterhooks. What's nice about this? Seriously?

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