A woman’s ideal relationship involves hearing ‘I love you’ after three months, meeting the parents after five months and getting engaged less than three years after the first date, a study revealed yesterday.
Researchers who polled, 2000 women found three in four had a dream timeline of how they would like their perfect relationship to pan out, with the first holiday as a couple happening after eight months of dating.
Ideally, couples would then move in together almost two years after the first date and start a family within two years of marriage.
It also emerged that 39 per cent of women would get a dog with their other half to test the waters for real commitment.
A spokesman for gifting website GettingPersonal.co.uk, which commissioned the research, said: ‘’When a relationship is going well, it’s natural to have an idea of how you want things to progress.
‘’Having a plan is great in principle, but it can cause stress later on if things aren’t going as expected.
‘’It’s important not to fret too much over the details, as often the surprises of life can be much more exciting.
‘’There’s a satisfaction in just seeing what will happen, and you never know what might be around the corner.’’
The study of 2,000 women found that a new relationship would start with a date every five days, declaring themselves an item after six weeks of dating.
After around eight weeks, women would be happy to sleep with their partner for the first time, and in around three months they’d want to say ‘I love you’ – but only after he’d said it first.
Five months in, women would want their other half to meet the parents, jetting off on a romantic holiday three months later – eight months after the first date.
Sharing keys would be the next step, the women said, ideally moving in together one year and nine months after first meeting.
Getting a pooch would seal the deal for some, as 39 per cent said at this point they’d want to get a dog together.
And when both parties are happily shacked up, they’d be engaged two years and four months after the first date, the study showed.
Sticking with tradition, it should be the guy who gets down on one knee, the women said, with a ring worth £1,220 that he chose himself.
More traditionally still, six in ten women would like their man to ask their father for their hand in marriage before popping the question.
The wedding should then take place around 15 months after getting engaged.
But the ideal timeline doesn’t stop with marriage – the study showed the average woman wants to start a family within a year and 10 months of getting hitched.
And in the perfect advancement, couples would go on to have two children.
In total, the research showed the average woman’s ideal relationship would span five years and five months from the first date through to starting a family.
It seems the timeline is not to be sniffed at, as almost one in four women admitted they’ve broken up with someone because the relationship wasn’t going to their ideal plan.
But while 59 per cent said their current relationship is progressing as desired, another one in ten said things may be going too quickly.
A spokesman for GettingPersonal.co.uk added, ‘’Being in love is what life is all about, so it’s easy to get carried away with visions of the future.
‘’But in the end so long as both parties are happy, it can be just as fun to enjoy the ride.’’
IDEAL TIMELINE FROM THE FIRST DATE
Go on dates every five days
6 weeks in – officially an item
8 weeks in – sleep together for the first time
3 months in – the man says ‘I love you’ first
5 months in – meet the parents
8 months in – go on holiday together
1 year and 9 months – move in together
-Four in ten would get a dog
2 years and 4 months – get engaged
-With an engagement ring worth £1,220
-The man would propose, and pick the ring as a surprise
-Ask the father for permission
15 months after engagement – get married
1 year 10 months after marriage – start a family
-Have two children
ENDS
