I'm tired of waiting for him to propose so I'm risking it all

I'm a woman in my mid-40s and have two children with my partner of 12 years.

- Dear Coleen

I really want us to get married, but it’s an awkward subject because whenever I've had conversations with my partner about it, he’s very non-committal, saying things like, “Maybe one day”, “It's not important to me”, and, “Why are you so bothered?”

There are several reasons. I want the romance of a wedding, I'd like to have the same surname as my kids and they would love it if we got married. I want us to feel properly united as a family, plus there are legal and financial protections too.

I'm sick of waiting for him to pop the question, so I've decided to propose to him. I've booked us a weekend away and plan to do it then. I haven't told anyone else what I'm planning.