Reason I Love Tyler #4

So the teaser of my last post left a lot to be discussed, am I right?

Tyler Wants to Spend the Rest of His Life With Me. In a Legally Binding Contract.

Like I said earlier, Tyler and I just returned from an awesome 10 day vacation. Many of the upcoming posts will be related to it, but the most important, by far, is that he proposed to me! Now, the way he proposed will be a whole other post. Right now let's just focus on the fact that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Only me. Forever and ever, amen.

He loves me that much. He loves me so much that he wants to stop looking. I wants to share a roof and a bed with me. All his stuff! He wants to be my partner in life. Of course that's what marriage means, but to see it in writing makes me feel so special. I'm his One. He thinks I'm worthy of his time and energy and experiences. He wants me to be with him on all of his birthdays and Thanksgivings and Christmases. He wants me there when all the good things happen. And he wants me there during the inevitable hard times. In a way, he thinks I'm worthy of his life. Because the way we spend our time is life, is it not?

The fact that Tyler wants to spend the rest of his life with me didn't come as a shock when March 11, 2016 rolled around. Like responsible people we had discussed that we wanted our futures to intertwine eternally. We didn't need a piece of paper and a pair of rings to know that. We aren't having children, so having a legal family unit for the sake of the kiddies isn't a factor. Nor are we religious, so the whole "covenant with God" doesn't matter for us either. Shacking up and premarital relations are the norm and have been for a good 40 years. (Hell, my parents did it!) And there are several instances of lasting couples sans marriage. Oprah and Stedman. Goldie and Kurt. And let's not forget the thousands of non-famous people out there. So why even get married?

As far as I'm concerned, there is only ever one reason to get married: BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR PARTNER WANT TO. No, marriage is not a necessity in any sense of the word. We don't need to do it to share our lives or a house or a Netflix account. Tyler and I will get married because we want to and we have the opportunity to do so. Not because of God, not for the tax benefits, not because society likes to see everyone paired off, not even for our parents (although I'm certain it will make them all very, very happy, which in turn gives up good feelings). We are doing it for us, to celebrate our love and solidify our bond.

Look, I always dreamed of getting married because that meant someone loved me so much that he wanted me around forever. As a somewhat mature adult, I know that isn't always the case. People get married for a variety of reasons, some not so honorable. And even though Tyler and I had plenty of discussions about marriage, I have never ever nagged about what the future should hold and when this or that needs to happen. I just want to be with him in any capacity and if that meant living in sin indefinitely, then that's what I would have done. But lucky for me, Tyler wants to marry me, of his own accord.