Unfortunately there does not seem to be a formula to determine when you are ready for marriage. Every person and every relationship is different. There are a few things you can use to help gauge your readiness however. When determining a time for the marriage talk, be aware of your inner emotions and inner dialogue.
Welcome to the perennial $64,000 question many people in long-term relationships face: How do I stop myself from feeling “very married,” bored, or uninspired in my relationship? A layperson friend of mine once told me his solution to this problem.
After the conquest subsides and a relationship settles into a comfortable zone, you inevitably will be faced with the dilemma of not always having your needs met. A desire for your partner to STEP UP can be translated as you wanting your needs met and a desire to be connected more deeply to your partner. If you have ever read the book The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman, It outlines five ways to express and experience love that Chapman calls “love languages”: gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, and physical touch.