Marriage

Marriage means a lot of different things to different people. Some people get married because they feel like the should in order to take the "next step" in their relationship. Some people get married because they couldn't imagine spending their lives with anyone else BUT that person and are madly in love. Or some get married for financial reasons or because they think they need to in order to save a relationship. Some people get married for religious reasons or family obligations.

Regardless of the reasons, the common factors for any marriage is to make vows and sign a paper legally tying yourself to another. This is a pretty serious commitment, but no matter what, at the end of the day, you're committing yourself to another. But is that the only way to show commitment to someone? To sign a piece of paper? To declare your vows out loud to your significant other? What about the rest of us that make a commitment to one another, without signing a piece of paper or making out loud vows in front of people?

I'm committed to Rob as if we did do all of that. We share our life, we own a home together, we have a dog, joint bank account, file taxes together, etc. We do everything that married couples do and in most cases, are more "married" in the asset sense then others. Now, owning assets isn't a definition of marriage, but we've hit emotional bumps in the road just like everyone else. Now, if we were just "dating" then it would be easy to simply wash your hands of it and walk away. But it's not that simple (and not just because there's assets to split and we have a dog). But because we've both made a commitment to each other. Our own personal vows. So much so that when we've had hit a bump or two, we've gone to couples counselling. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't just do that if you were simply dating.

I don't need a piece of paper or to stand up in front of people in order for me to be committed to someone. I guess it boils down to what your definition of commitment is.

Anyway, I'd be interested to know other peoples thoughts on their definition of marriage and if you're not really committed to another person unless you have signed a piece of paper and made vows.