Long Term Relationships

At a recent family reunion on my father's side, his brother, my uncle has had a relationship with a very attractive lady for nearly ten years. I asked him why he and his lady never married since they have been in their relationship for so long and his answer is that "why marry when there was never a child involved and that they enjoy the freedom of going and coming as they please". He told me that the real reason is that they both want to live together with an understanding that neither has to be locked in a relationship that could change and the best thing if things change would be to move on. I find this to be more and more in relationships today. Somehow i still think if you have been involved with someone for so long a period of time is it not normal to want to have a commitment with that person in marriage? You share so much together not to have some bond that ties both together.

 

well, what's normal for some is abnormal to others. I have an aunt and uncle who dated for 22 years before they finally got married.

Divorce is messy and uncomfortable. I don't blame people for wanting to be together without getting married, especially with the high rate of divorce in this country now. But hey...it's all up to the individual couple. Some people want to get married, some don't. If you're happy with whatever arrangement you've got then go for it, in my opinion.

 

Marriage isn't everyone's ideal. It was mine and my husband's and we're celebrating eight years today, actually.

If, god forbid, I should find myself divorced or widowed I doubt I would marry again. What I have right now in my life is my dream. I don't want this life any other way with any other person. I would want the freedom to come and go as I please and I don't think I would want to live with anyone either.