So, I'm generally not one to ask advice, as I'm usually the one to dispense it. High school graduate at 16, college graduate at 20, homeowner at 24... etc, etc. I'm usually the most experienced one 'in the room,' so to speak, when it comes to life and professional experiences, at least for someone who is mid-twenties.
Relationship and marriage crap, however? Yeah, not so much. I'm experienced in the relationship field, but taking a relationship to the next step? As in proposal and what not? Yeah, it's horrifying. Not in a bad way... just... very overwhelming. I tend to overthink things, and have always been extremely analytical, but given this would be a possible "forever" type of thing, I guess it makes sense I'm overthinking it and considering it overwhelming.
So, I want some advice. The girlfriend and I have been in a serious, dedicated relationship almost one year at this point. We've spent every weekend together, and at least 2 to 3 nights a week together, either at her place or my place, for almost the last year. In terms of similarities, we love the same type of movies, music, weekend activities (which include comedy clubs, dinners out with friends, card/board games with friends, etc).
Personality-wise she's more outspoken and vocal, with me being a bit more reserved and calculating - but either together or in our friend group, we're both pretty equal when it comes to outgoingness, etc.
Career-wise, we're both in the same field - I'm an SVP for a major commercial bank (I'm specifically in management for operations / regulatory), and she's a VP for a major competing bank (she's specifically in management for anti-fraud / compliance).
Family-wise, her family (parents, sister, and grandparents) love me and we spend a fair amount of time hanging out. My mom loves her, but my father does not (because she is not Muslim, which my father is; I am not, to note).
Friends-wise, her friends all love me, and my friends all love her. And our friends all get along together, as well.
Education-wise, we are both similar. We both hold Bachelors in the Management / Finance area, and we are both wrapping up Masters in fields similar to our Bachelors.
Religion-wise, we are both Atheist, so we agree very closely in regards to this subject.
Politically, we're also fairly identical (fiscal conservative, social liberal), but we both don't care a huge amount about the subject so it rarely comes up.
Compatibility-wise we've had no fights. We'v had a few times where we've talked things out, but it was never anything like yelling, throwing things, slamming doors, etc. In addition, we both have zero interest in moving outside of the Portland area. If she suggests an idea for a weekend excursion, I've never been against it. Vice-versa, she never has an issue with what I want to do if I suggest something.
Financially, we are both well-off. We are both making six figures, and have consistently received high ratings in our current and past careers (we've both been in banking around 5 years). We both know what each others salary is, we both know where each of our credit scores stand, and we both know our debt standings (only debt between the both of us would be my mortgage).
We've discussed the possibility of marriage and what we'd expect out of it (generically speaking marriage, not just us) - number of kids, what neighborhood either of us would want to live in, offspring upbringing expectation, etc.
We've even gone as far as discussing any medical, genetic, or hereditary issues that might exist (luckily, not a major issue for either of us).
We have no jealousy issues - I haven't gone through her phone, she hasn't gone through mine, and we don't throw a ***** fit if we're texting someone of the opposite sex as we both extremely trust each other and know we both are not the type to cheat.
So yeah, that's the short and simple breakdown of where we are at. We spent multiple vacations together in the last year, and have another 4 booked next year (which, by the end, will put us at nearly two years). She's met my family, I've met hers, our families have met, etc.
I'm not thinking of proposing until at least mid next year, but I want some insight into what else I might want or need to consider. As I've said, I'm very analytical, so my mind works almost off of a checklist, which has its pros and cons.
My personal feeling is that she's "the one," and I intend to propose, down the road.
So yeah. Please give me some advice in regards to this. Sorry for the novella-type of post, but I wanted to give as much info as possible, in the most condensed form.