I dont find Jess' post amusing in the least. That was very rude and you have no idea what personal connection she has to the issue at hand (not saying you do, Jess). And she does NOT have to explain why she feels that way. I have had some personal experiences regarding marriage (not me, but my family) and none turned out good. I've seen my family be destroyed because of marriage. I've seen my mother deal with abuse (both mentally and physically) in the name of "love"
. He KNEW how to manipulate her through "love" and she depended on him. I made a promise to myself to NEVER EVER allow myself to depend on someone so much and "love" them so much as to let myself get hurt in the process.
Do I believe in love? Of course, but I love myself more that ANYONE and guess what? I came in this world alone and I'm going out alone. Marriage does not gurantee anything. Its a piece of paper like Jess said. Now on the other hand I have seen many couples together for years and have never gotten married (they have even been together longer than I have been alive). And just because they didnt sign a paper mean their love is not valid. Its a bond between two people as everyone here keeps saying then why must others witness it. Why cant you just sit down with your other and in the name of God (or whatever you believe in) declare yourselves married?