Cupid's Pulse Article: Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Is Engaged to Longtime GirlfriendCupid's Pulse Article: Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Is Engaged to Longtime Girlfriend

By Gabriela Robles

According to People, Serbian champion tennis player Novak Djokovic is engaged to his long-term, high-school sweetheart, Jelena Ristic. The two met in high school in Belgrade and have been together ever since. Over the weekend in Monte Carlo, tennis star proposed to his girlfriend of eight years.

How do you know when you’re ready to get married?

Cupid’s Advice:

When you’re in a serious relationship, most likely there’s a chance for marriage to come along, but how do you know when you’re ready? Sometimes it seems like there’s a period where everyone around you is getting married — except you. Other times, you’re not sure if you want to get married to this person you’ve been with, even though you love them. So how can you be sure you’re ready to tie the knot?  Cupid has some suggestions:

1. Talk about it: One of the main rules in a relationship is to keep the lines of communication open. Whether you want to get married, or are not sure of it, talk about it.  Make sure your relationship is going in the direction that you want it to. You have to both be on the same page or else you’ll wind up where you don’t want to be. One day, when the time is right — tell your partner how you feel about it. Talking about it is the number one step to figuring out if you’re both ready.

2. Think about it with yourself: Take some time to think about it. When you go to weddings, do you wish it were you walking down the aisle? Do you watch Say Yes to the Dress every chance you get and know exactly what you want to wear on your wedding day? Do you see your partner in it with you? If so, then you’re probably interested in marriage with him. You need to figure out internally if this is what you want.

3. Be realistic about it: You can’t just run away and get married and everything will be perfect — even elopement doesn’t result in a perfect marriage.  You need to evaluate it realistically. You need to look at boring, less-mushy things such as financial situations, housing situations, family involvement, etc. If these things aren’t figured out and you’re just jumping into something that you haven’t really thought through, you might regret it — which is the last thing you want to do with something like a marriage.

How did you know when you were ready? Tell us in the comments below!