I'm 32 with DS1 and DS2. Have been engaged 3 times but never married.
DP is nearly 40, no kids. 2 long term relationships (one 8 years) but no marriage or even engagements. To be quite honest I thought he was against marriage.
Recently we had a couple of serious talks about what we wanted and agreed that we're both smitten and can see a future together and ideally we'd like to settle down reasonably soon. I can honestly say he's the love of my life. We've both been really hurt and had basically given up ever finding someone until we stumbled across each other. I really feel like he's my soul mate and my best friend. I've never felt like this about anyone before and he says the same about me. He's great with my children and they really like him too.
In the last 10 days he has discussed/joked about marriage or getting engaged 4 times which I'm confused by as i've never had a guy do this before. Plus I thought he was anti marriage.
Last Saturday: I've been helping my friend's boyfriend to design her engagement ring and I had 6 fake/costume rings on my kitchen window sill. DP found them and said "wow look at all your rings" and started looking through them. I explained what they were for. He starts going through them saying no/yes etc and asked which one I liked most. I explained I didn't like any of them so he then asked me specifically what I'd like. We ended up going through ring photos on his phone where he was constantly making suggestions "how about amethysts around a diamond?" Etc
This Sunday: my ex was over giving me a bit of grief over our DS. I was messaging DP telling him what was happening. DP joked to me to tell my ex that I was getting engaged to him. I joked back saying my ex would say that DP was cheap because I didn't have a ring. DP replied saying "good point".
Yesterday: DP was joking that he only has eyes for one person. I cheekily replied "who's that?!" And he jokingly replied someone he'd met on the train and then said "we're getting married" I replied saying I hope he'd gotten her a ring. He then sent me photos of some rings and when I said they were horrible he'd send more. Really felt like he was sounding me out as he was sending ones based on things I like. I then took a gamble and sent him a picture of my dream ring. He said he liked the one I sent and said it was the nicest. He then said "I'm very happy I met you" He then asked how much the ring was and was concerned that it was very cheap. He said that a guy is supposed to spend 3 months salary on the ring. I said I'd be horrified to wear something so expensive so he jokingly said "ok I'll invest the rest of the money"
Tonight he's randomly told me that although he's not been engaged or married he's "not opposed to it at all". Came out of nowhere. It was like he had to make it clear to me. I explained that I'm not opposed to it either but then I've just dated jerks before hence not making it down the aisle.
I'm trying not to read much into it. Obviously I guess I'm hoping he's planning on popping the question but don't want to get my hopes up. Just seems like unusual behaviour for a guy to joke about this kind of thing.
What do you think?