Whether you have spent the past year with your significant other or were lucky enough to meet in the halls of your high school, the thought of a future together has crossed every partner's mind at least a time or two! If you have started your snooping (we are all guilty of it don’t worry) and are looking for a few signs to help you answer the question “am I next?” then you have come to the right spot!

So… how do you know when your partner is going to propose? Well, we are no experts but we have gathered some helpful hints that may help you crack the code!

2. He/She’s Nervous and Secretive All of A Sudden

As you grow and live life with someone, conversations regarding your future together may come naturally but we can’t forget about those that are still old school! If your boyfriend or girlfriend all of a sudden starts acting super nervous around you but you haven’t had the future talk yet, then he/she could very well be acting differently due to that dream proposal he/she has planned out in his/her mind! So don’t be overly worried if your partner has been acting shy or standoffish lately… we love the old-school romantic and need more of them!

3. They Plan The Next Trip

If you’ve planned every trip in the past and your partner has all of a sudden become the best travel agent around and doesn’t need any help, then make sure you pay extra close attention to what you throw in that suitcase! This is a very common hint that they have something big planned! Get ready to relax, enjoy a few romantic dinners and come back with that rock you have had saved on Pinterest for some time now! This trip will definitely be one to remember…

4. They Pay Closer Attention To Married Couples

Whether your partner puts more effort into hanging out with married couples or drops little comments at a restaurant where an eldery couple is celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, this really shows what has been on his/her mind! You are about to spend the rest of your life together and he/she is most likely thinking about all the memories that you two will be making!

5. They Become Very Guarded Over Their Phone

If you hear his/her phone buzzing and they has no interest in checking it then they could very well be texting your siblings or best friends about the perfect time and spot! Don’t freak out… in today’s world, we keep everything on our phones and having it out in front of you might make him/her super nervous! So, try not to pry or ask too many questions - engagements have a lot of moving parts and it’s important to constantly communicate with those who are going to be a part of the big day!

6. From Big Spender To Big Saver

From wanting to check out all the new trendy restaurants in town to grocery shopping on Sundays and being strict about meal prepping, the tables have clearly turned. Your partner’s priorities have changed and they are doing all that they can do to afford that ring and a future together! There are a lot of important things to think about when approaching engagement and it is very common for them to become overly sensitive about their spendings! So, save that restaurant you have been dying to go to and cherish the memories made at home cooking together! Meal prepping could very well allow you to take the next steps into being a married couple, such as buying a home or a new car together. Weddings can be expensive, but a house and children can be more expensive, so it is key to have an idea of financials for all of the things coming your way.

7. He/She Suddenly Become An Expert On Jewelry

If your partner has never shown any interest until now about the three kinds of gold or all the different ring cuts out there, then you may want to take this as a sign that you are next! Seeing your partner's curiosity peak regarding jewelry can make it pretty clear that he/she wants to make sure they get the right ring! It can be hard to be discreet when they're snooping around in your jewelry box so they may need to be a little more upfront before making this big decision! If they go as far as asking you for your ring size, it may be an additional sign that they are purchasing the perfect ring for you!

8. They Reserve Dinner Or Make Your Favorite Meal

If reservation-type dinners aren’t your partner's cup of tea or he/she is all of a sudden gathering a list to make your favorite recipe, then this could be another sign! Now we know what you might do next… when you feel like a proposal may be coming you instantly search for that ring box in his or her pocket but just enjoy the evening and the anticipation of what may follow!

9. He/She Finally Accepts That You Can’t Just “wash everything together”

As silly as it sounds, if your boyfriend or girlfriend is planning on spending the rest of his/her life with you then he/she will (hopefully) start paying closer attention to the cleanliness of his/her apartment. It’s common for a partner to really focus in on this when dating someone they are serious about. If he/she no longer fights you on separating his/her laundry based on fabric type or why he/she can’t use the same hand towel for three months, then he/she is most likely thinking about sharing a space with you in the near future and not six college roommates!

10. Making More Of An Effort To Include Your Family In Plans

You don’t just marry your partner, you marry their whole family! If your boyfriend or girlfriend has made more of an effort to spend time with your family, this could very well be a sign that he/she is wanting to get to know them better since he/she will be spending a lot more time with them! It is also more than likely that he/she is taking this time to slip away with a few of your loved ones to have those serious conversations he/she doesn’t want you to know about! So, soak up the time you get to spend with your loved ones and get ready to add he/she to that big family group chat!