You may never have thought you'd see the day, but it's finally here. You've decided to throw away your bachelor hood and make the big jump to life as a married man. Deciding your going to ask your girlfriend to marry you is an exciting time in your life and is undoubtedly filling you tons of stress an emotion. (Believe is or not, we are aware that every now and then you get emotional.) You most likely have a list of questions ranging from what kind of ring to buy, to where to propose to her. While most of these answers are based solely your relationship and the women you love, there are a few guidelines that can help you find the answers and make your proposal something she'll remember and cherish for a lifetime.

• Talk to Her:

We all know that engagements are something that are should be a surprise event in a women's life but it shouldn't be something she never would expect. It's important to talk to your girlfriend about marriage before you get down on one knee with a ring in hand. Talking about marriage will give you the chance to show her you are prepared for this next venture in your relationship. It will also help you decide if she is ready to make this huge commitment to you. If she's less than interested or runs for the hills when you bring up the topic of marriage, you may want to hold off a bit.

• Window Shop:

If you've talked about marriage and your girlfriend is as excited as you are, then you should start to check out the local jewelry stores. Women are often picky about the jewelry they wear and looking around with your girlfriend on your arm will make sure you get a feel for what type of ring she prefers. You will need to find out what style ring she likes, what type of diamond cut she prefers, and whether she likes gold, white gold, or silver. Some women even like to design their own ring, so make sure to take a few trips to the jewelry store so she can more or less pick out a ring she likes.

• Be Creative:

Sure, you can have the waiter slip the ring into her dessert after dinner, or you can propose to her on valentines day, but those methods are so used and abuse it's like taking the easy way out. When you propose to your girlfriend you will want to do something that shows you put a lot of thought into the situation. Don't forget...she will remember that day for years to come and will be telling the story over and over. Don't let her story be one that was already written and told. Think about places, songs, events, and other things that helped to bond you as a couple. Use the past to help you prepare for the future. It's also helpful to remember that being creative doesn't need to be expensive, so use your imagination and see where it takes you.

• Keep Some Tradition:

Even though you may not be the conventional couple, every girl likes a little tradition deep down. What does that mean for you? You definitely should speak to her parents first. It may seem "old school" and unnecessary, but they will be your in-laws and they will see you asking for their daughters hand as a respectful gesture. If her parents see you are willing to speak to them they will be more likely to find you a suitable match for their daughter. When it comes to the actual proposal, please if it's possible, get down on your knee. Many women wait for the day a man takes a knee and she will appreciate the adherence to tradition.