This Is How Long It (Typically) Takes Couples To Get Engaged, Married And Have Kids

Love is a rollercoaster, and while every relationship is different, we’re all guilty of time-checking our coupledom against our friends and family, no? If you do things in the "right" order, anyway – which I did not, with my accidental love-child conceived less than a year into relationship with then-boyfriend, now husband. And heck, we even went ahead and had another baby after the first one before we eventually got around to the engagement and wedding bit. Anyway, you might be interested to know that if you are a little more prone to do things in the right order than I am, there is actually a rough rough guideline for when you can expect that ring, a wedding party and the pitter patter of tiny feet. Match.com interviewed more than 2,000 people about the intricate details of their relationships – including everything from becoming ‘Facebook official’ to the harder questions of commitment and long-term plans. And while a survey determined the average age you’ll be when you can expect to meet "The One," now you can also judge your relationship along a timeline (although it may cause unnecessary panicking). According to the survey, 33 per cent of couples have their first serious conversation about a long-term future within the first year of their relationship, with engagements typically happening after two years. As for tying the knot, you might want to start saving for that wedding, as most people tend to host their big day roughly a year after their proposal, followed swiftly with the average couple now expecting their first child after four years together. Does this sound familiar to you? But, guys, don't panic if you’re not falling into the same patterns (I sure did not, and yet it all turned out just fine!). Here is what dating expert Kate Taylor had to say about the study: “While each relationship moves at its own pace, daters are often reassured by comparing their experiences with others. We all ask our friends, "When did you know your partner was The One?" or, "How long did you wait before you kissed?" If your relationship isn’t falling within these time frames, use them to adjust your expectations.” Did YOUR relationship follow this pattern, mamas? Or did you throw caution to the wind and go for baby first, marriage second? Or, did you even, like many couples do, opt out of the marriage all together and are happy just living together and raising a family YOUR way? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @Herfamilydotie