Well

a marriage expresses commitment because it involves a public promise. Standing up in front of all your friends and family and saying "This is us, we love each other, we intend to stick together for always". It's not about the legal relationship at all. It's about having such a strong commitment to each other that you are prepared to make that public statement.

As opposed to "Well we've been living together for six months/a couple of years/five years/had a baby/had two babies so I suppose we're together now"

If you feel totally committed to someone, why NOT say so in public with a celebration?

Nine out of ten cohabs split up. Five out of ten cohabs WITH CHILDREN split up (as opposed to 1 in 12 or so marriages). Shit as the divorce rate is, it isn't that bad!

Posted By: Old Git, Jul 14, 10:54:28