[PurpleFlyingMonkeys]

So this October will mark 2 years since my boyfriend and I decided to become "exclusive" (even though we were not seeing anyone else at the time). It's been an incredible two years and I couldn't be happier to be hitting this mark. My only concern, I don't know how he feels with me expressing my joy at the two years.

Back when we first started dating he and I had a conversation about anniversaries. He was talking about girls that celebrate monthly and sometimes even weekly anniversaries and how it was unnessesary. I told him I was not like that of course and viewed it as a yearly occassion and that I may from time mention how long we have been dating. And I did, I would say sometimes "Oh we've been together 7 months today" and he would smile and say something super sweet and that would be the end of it. I was perfectly fine with that. Then last October comes around the corner, our first anniversary.

I was nervous the week leading up to the date. I didn't know if he would say anything or if I should, and if I did if he would think I was being nuts, getting all excited over nothing... My mind has too many negative thoughts. Unfortunately I said nothing at all the day of or the days after. I was too embarrassed and didn't know how he felt since he as well said nothing. It was like it was any day of the year, just a plain ol Wednesday. I didn't get upset, I'm with him because I love him and he and I tell eachother every day just how happy we are together. But this year, I want something... I want at least aknowledgement.

I want to surprise him with maybe a trip out of town for the night, just him and myself in a hotel room and spend the night in the city (we live in a small town) or cook him something, just do something to show him on that day how happy I am that we have made it to that day. I'm just not sure what to do or if I should or if I should just let it be. I tried waiting to see if he would do anything last year, that backfired. I don't know if I should do something or just act like it's every other day of the year. I just don't know, and if I do something, I don't know what to do so it wont be too much or too little. And I don't know how to tell him that I want us to be together and celebrate the 2 year mark. We have already started talking about marriage here recently, it shouldn't be too soon to mention anniversaries since our second is coming up soon right? I just don't know!

Any advice, tips or relative stories and such would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much in advance

[elvinchild]

If you're not sure how he'll feel about it, why don't you just ask him about it? Rather than waiting to see if he does anything, or arranging a surprise - Just say something like "What do you think about doing something special for our two year anniversary?" The two of you could plan it together. Celebrating two years is a lot different then celebrating every single month! Besides, it's a good excuse to have a really nice date night and I'm sure he'll appreciate that.

[PurpleFlyingMonkeys]

Thanks Elvin! You're right, I probably should bring it up... I will hopefully work up the courage, I just wish I wasn't so worried about rejection. In my past experience with this man he has seemed less than excited on a few occassions about things dealing with our future. But he's a great man and I can tell he does care for me a lot. I just hope he's at least a little excited for it!

[StrongerMan]

Yes, let him know. Circle the date on the calendar with giant red heart. Mention it maybe once a week. A lot of men, myself included, have terrible memories for this kind of thing. I can remember a birthday of someone close every day for a month and then I forget completely right before. I feel like a shmuck. It doesn't mean we don't care. Also, some people grew up in families where birthdays and anniversaries were a big deal. Others not so much. I personally love it when a woman helps me out like that. It tells me she can communicate to me openly and maturely about her needs in the relationship. I absolutely hate it when they say nothing to test me to prove whether I really love them. Passive/aggressive b.s. Mind you, don't bring it up every minute of every day. That is what the calendar is for. If he knows you really care about it, then he should care about it too. He just might need some help along the way.