We went to university together, had a semi-romantic friendship before as well. I always liked her and I thought she liked me back too but after graduating I was focused on other stuff, wasn't actively looking for a relationship. Hence the gap.
When I proposed to my wife, I met her after a couple of years and didn't know at the time if she was seeing someone.
I nudged the conversation towards that topic and once I found out that she isn't, I literally proposed to her in office jargon.
I said, "So if the vacancy is still available, can I apply?". She said yes, and we got married eventually but she still isn't too happy about that proposal line.
People not living in the developed world still average much more than 2 children. I think the number is reducing there but it has a way to go to reach average 2 per family.