ljtseng

I can certainly relate to the difficult family situation. My DH and I just eloped. I never wanted the big wedding thing. too much planning, money, and time. Plus his mom and brother dont like me (that's an understatement), my mom is super religious and didnt like that i wasnt getting married her way, my sisters were already telling me how my wedding should be, and on top of that my dad passed away when i was a kid and i didnt know how i would handle not having him there. i didnt want to make mine and mine and my DH's day about his family and my family. I wanted it to just be about us. Ironically some of my friends were more offended that I eloped. My mom was a little hurt, his brother was offended, but all in all everything worked out and the day was about my DH and me.

I would say though that if you are not ready to get married dont do it. What's the rush? My sister just turned down her boyfriends marriage proposal. They're still together and what's the big difference? Married or not their relationship is the same.

Your situation sounds so similar to what any long term relationship goes through. When me and my DH are at home, he does his thing and i do mine. We really don't talk that much. what's to say when you've been living together for so long. The spark in our sex life was dwindling to non existent for awhile. being married really has nothing to do with it. its just the cycle any long relationship goes through. if you leave your guy and start a new relationship of course it will be new and exciting. But odds are you will come across the same issues you are having now with any long term relationship.

-lj