Would I scare her if I propose?

Illustration/Uday Mohite

I am a 41-year old single man and have been in a relationship with a 32-year old woman for six months now. We get along really well and enjoy each other's company a lot. This is the first time in my life I feel as if I could settle down with this person and it surprises me because I have never felt this way in the past. I never married because I never found someone I thought I could commit to, until I met my girlfriend. I am thinking of proposing to her formally but am also afraid because I have no idea how she may react. It may be too soon and I am prepared to wait, but I am also worried about how she sees me and how her family will react to this proposal. Everyone assumes there must be something wrong with someone who stays single until his or her 40s and I have always explained myself but have never worried because I have never felt the need to. What should I do?
You should keep doing what you have been doing all this time because there is nothing wrong with wanting to settle down only when you're ready. If you think it's too soon, give it time and allow her and her family to get to know you better. To assume the worst is irrational and unfair because it doesn't give anyone the benefit of doubt. Your explanation is valid and no one who feels your relationship is genuine should have a problem with your decision. For now, stop overthinking it, focus on your relationship as it stands, and let things evolve naturally in their own time.

How do I get my girlfriend to go out on a holiday with me? She thinks it's a bad idea but it's actually the best way for us to get to bond.
If she's not comfortable with this, it defeats the purpose of bonding. Why not let her decide to do this whenever she is ready to?

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