I feel for you. I have walked away from a wonderful man, because he wasn't ready for marriage, and into the arms of a man who was even better, and was EXCITED to spend his life with me.
I feel that you "KNOW" very quickly, if the person you are with is the one or just for now. And, I do not feel that we have one single soul mate, there are a lot of men out there who would fit my bill. But, on with the story. I have only been in 3 serious relationships, 1 being my husband. And I made it very clear at about 6 months to each of the men, that I would want a proposal by our one year anniversary.
The first, I was 18, and he was in the Navy and he got shipped away..we tried to make it work..but as usually happens we drifted apart, though we loved each other dearly..and besides, I was 18...that would have been a huge mistake, and Fate was kind to me.
I met man #2...everything was shmoopy and ideal and amazing...he professed his undying love for me all the time..and he talked of a wedding all the time...even so far as to start planning...yet, at one year, no ring, he in fact(knowing my rule) kneeled at me feet crying and begging me to stay with him and wait a little longer. I waited 6 months, and realized he would not be ready to marry, and that is most likely me....which I was fine with...Not everyone is the other persons "the one"(which surely is a heartbreaking lesson to learn). And after much soul searching and crying. I met the man who was to be my husband.
He knew I was "the one" 2 days after meeting me. It took me 3 days to realize the same..lol. He wanted to propose in the first month, but I refused. I am a rational person, and being older and wiser knew that 1 month was not enough time to know someone. He waited as long as he could..so 364 days after meeting he proposed(knowing my rule, he didn't want to risk it
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I don't think there is anything wrong with you wanting marriage. It is one of your dreams and is important to you, as it was to me.I think you deserve a man who desires to be with you as much as you desire to be with him. Making him aware of how much it hurts you that he doens't want to get married, is a good idea. Setting a limit, is a good idea...more for you than him. It will give you a destination. I know how much resentment can build up, with him not proposing, and he knows that is what you want. That is what probably made it so easy to walk away the second time for me. I was so fed up, that I was just over it. Either way...you have to make a decision. You will end up hating him for not proposing, and yourself for staying.