I told H I wouldn’t consider marrying him until we had dated more than 9 months as all his prior relationships had ended by then and I was curious why.
On my birthday, he did sweep me off my feet, reserved a private room at a nice restaurant and proposed over dinner with a dozen long-stemmed red roses. We had no witnesses, no photos. He never sought nor obtained my folks’ blessing. (Actually they were surprised and not sure we were that great a couple due to huge age difference—they’ve since changed their mind and are thrilled for us.)
We’ve been happily married since 1986–together 2 years prior to that.
Let’s say it’s more than if you add the age difference between all my 5 married sibs and their spouses, I think. His friends are babysitting growing grandkids (& some great grandkids)—my friends just finished HS grad parties and now and watching their kids wade into adulthood.