Gonzo said:
I lived with my wife for 6 years before we officially tied the knot. We were friends for 3 or 4 years before that. We have been married 11 years & it shows no sign of weakening. Part of the difference is we got married as a formality, we always figured the committment was there, just not the push to get off our lazy asses. We had a marriage, just no certificate validated by the state.
I applaude the sucess you guys 'ave, Gonz!
I jus' 'ave a real absense of stories like yers in my little world. I mean, I frequently hear stories, mostly from the hopeful young lady, where she'll say, " we're gonna get married in a few years", but when asked if she got a ring an' a date, she says, " no but we've already talked about that too, we're jus' not sure when". I've seen that spiral go on fer years. (like donkey with carrot on a stick)
It's like, c'mon man, how much security is that to her or the future of that relationship. Like when the "storms" of life come, (i.e. job changes, one's desire to persue college or God forbid, she decides she wants to have children with the man she loves an' desires somethin' that looks a bit more like "commitment" so as to 'ave a greater sense of stability for the family she desires). What good is, "honey we'll get married jus' as soon as we get things worked out", then?
I'm jus' sayin' in this generation present, I don't see or hear many young folk backin' up any solid forms of responsible relational commitment, mostly jus' warm fuzzy, wishful thinkin' an' "we'll see where it goes from 'ere.
If the stats ARE any indication of the reapin' of this kind of thinkin', I'd say the "traditional family" that a few 'ere seem to like to defend is nothin' but reminiscent notion from a bunch a Frilly Well Wishers.
In my humble view, I did not become "husband" when the state of Indiana issued the piece of paper either, but instead, when I stood before God an' about a hundred friends an' family an' made a vow 'til death do us part.
The whole, "we've decided to move in together to see if it can really work" philosophy is already a proven failure in this society! Many of the people I've met in bars 'ave attested to this fact.
It's like, c'mon people, 'ave some fricken backbone!