Our families tend to get excited when we bring the same partner around to the house for a little while. After all, in previous decades some of the biggest achievements in life were getting married and having children. For many people, these remain the most life-changing and exciting experiences. But with greater egalitarianism and cultural shifts, there are also plenty of people who are choosing to forego the marriage bond.
If you?ve been with your life partner for a while, it may be worth having a little discussion with your closest family so that they know what to expect out of the relationship. Family may be actively pushing for marriage, but in many cases they simply are excited for you and don?t know how to show it other than by referencing a wedding in the future. By giving them a heads-up about your plans, you can avoid some of the more annoying questions and get support for your long-term, non-marriage relationship. Talk With Your Partner First

For some, not getting married is an open question: are we completely uninterested, or are we simply not interested right now" This is a perfectly fine place to be, but if you sense family pressure to conform to a typical marriage relationship, it might be time to explore the question. You may discover that your partner is not interested in marriage, sees it as an unhelpful ritual, or any of a few other attitudes.
You also might discover that your partner is considering marriage as an option, and that is fine, too! Howe...