How long is too long to live together without getting engaged?
In her latest podcast, Laura Sessions Stepp explores a new concept: 20-somethings who are “a little bit married.” Saywhatnow? Well, being a little bit married means that you’re in a relationship like a marriage – you share a home, a life, even in-law family drama – but you’re not actually married.
Hannah Seligson, author of the new book A Little Bit Married, uncovers and spotlights this trend in modern dating and discusses just why couples seem to be moving more and more in this direction (more job opportunities for women? Less pressure to get married young? No desire to get married regardless of length of coupleship?).
As a woman who has been living with her significant other for just about two years, I can certainly understand the pressure to get married…in the past few months, I couldn’t walk into a happy hour without having the obligatory “so, when is he going to propose?” conversation. And let me tell you, that got super old, super fast.
But that was my experience – one of millions; tell us yours in the comments. Is two years too long to wait for a ring? Is there an expiration date on a relationship that isn’t moving to the next (socially correct) logical step? Does it make more sense to stay a couple and not get married? Are more men and women happy to just be partners without the traditional label “marriage”?
I’d love to hear how others have handled this!
~ Jessica
What Others Have Said...
Sarah R. says:
My boyfriend and I have been dating & living together for almost 4 years now, I am 25 and he is 28. We knew each other and became close friends before we started dating, and so it was just natural to move in with each other once our relationship became official. We have discussed marriage and getting engaged, but we are in no hurry and being "a little bit married" describes us perfectly. We each see the other as a life partner, and we honestly behave like husband and wife in almost every way; but between graduate school, work, and juggling finances, the time for planning (or affording) a wedding just isn't there yet. I'm looking forward to the time when life will slow down some for us and then planning a wedding (the way I want it) will be a real possibility, until then we both feel like co-habitation is working out great and we couldn't be happier!
What Do You Think?