Have you lived with a significant other? Was it a "planned step" before marriage

1. 71

   dashingscorpioposted 14 years ago

   Have you lived with a significant other? Was it a "planned step" before marriage or a Convenience?
   
   The lasted study indicates there are 5 million opposite sex couples living together and 600,000 gay/lesbian couples living together.  Many of them consider themselves "married in their hearts". If you lived with someone would you have the same expectations of them as you would in a marriage? Is living together is simply marriage without the license?

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2. 60

   annarooposted 14 years ago

   I think that really depends upon the person.  For myself, living with my partner before marriage, I expect the same as if we were married.  We have not married yet due to financial constraints, and I could only be in the same town as him for the summer.  We are both very devoted to one another and consider ourselves married in all aspects except the license.

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3. 83

   wychicposted 14 years ago

   I lived with both my husband and my ex-husband prior to getting married each time. In both situations, we treated it the same as a marriage and had all the same expectations...and yes, in my case it is like a marriage without a license. With my ex, we didn't get married for 4 1/2 years because of various financial issues and his insistence on a real ceremony, and the relationship didn't change after marriage. My husband and I were dating long-distance for about six months before he moved here, then we lived together for a year before getting married. Again, having the piece of paper didn't change a thing for us...we went into the relationship with mutual commitment, exclusivity, and the plan for permanence...the paper only changed my name, our tax status, and our ability to be on the same health insurance plan through his employer.

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4. 60

   SEXYCOCOposted 14 years ago

   I am currently living together with my fiancee. The reason for us deciding to live together was  from the fact that we didn't want to live apart. I think its a good idea this way you get to know if you can really live with a person despite their flaws.We have had some rocky moments because lets face it we are two people that are used to living in their own spaces. But overall I wouldn't change this decision. I love waking up every morning to the most wonderful human being that has every crossed my path. WE always address each other as husband and wife. The only thing missing is the marriage certificate and that does not make or break this bond that we have formed.

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5. 79

   hazelbrownposted 14 years ago

   I think "married in their hearts" is a nice phrase.  That's how my BF and I feel, and we have lived together for 6 years.

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6. 70

   danielleantoszposted 14 years ago

   yes I have (and I do).  It was a little of both, sort of.  We spent all of our time together and it made no sense to keep paying two rents. We may or may not get married, but we do intend to stay together. A piece of paper just doesn't seem very important at the moment.

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