What should I do? I have been with my boyfriend for almost two and a half years...?

Common law marriage IS NOT THE SAME AS MARRIAGE. If something were to happen to your significant other you have no claim to any of the property or even his body. If his family chose to exclude you they could from any insurance claims and funeral imput. Trust me marriage is a lot more than a piece of paper. Its security for the future if something were to happen to one of you. Imagine being with someone for 30 years, something happening to them and having no claim what so ever to their pension or life insurance money. Imagine not even being able to make the decision where to bury them.

Now on to the problem of getting him to propose. You mentioned that he has talked about the future. Think of a way to casually bring it up or wait until he does and say something like "where do you see us in say 5 years". He could say married with kids or he could say something else. I would be very carefull hinting too much that you want to get married or asking him to marry you unless you are prepared to live with the fact that you had to goad him in to proposing to you. I don't know that I could be happy knowing that I had to encourage him to want to marry me. I want it to come from his own heart of his own free will and I think most women would agree. I know a lot of people can be happy with that but just make sure you can for the rest of you life. A marriage proposal is something most every girl dreams of. You need to be prepared if you are going to take the initiative and make it happen yourself. I think its something that would always be in the back of your mind that you did it instead of him doing it himself.

Common-law marriage is sometimes the best bet. I know a couple who was together for 20+ yrs. then they decided to get married...for the sake of the kids that they had. It only lasted about a year and they divorced. If he's the one, you should have no worries and you can live your life happily with him without being married. Start that family and carry on...it's not that uncommon these days. If you are dead set on getting married, talk to him straight forward about it. Say just what you said here, to him. Ask him why he's afraid to get married. Maybe he doesn't see the point, in which case...you can explain your point. Don't let this tear you apart though, common law marriage is just as good...if not better than a piece of paper saying you are married. Good luck!

Talk to him! Do it in a place where he is very comfortable.

Possibly over dinner at his favorite restaurant. Just do it somewhere where you know he will be relaxed. At this point, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Find out what his feelings are about marriage and your future together. Even if some of his answers aren't exactly what you want to hear, at least you will have them. From there you two can continue to talk and work out what will be best for both of you in your future together.

Good luck!

If you feel strongly that the time is right, why don't you take the initiative and propose to him? Many people live together extremely happily without feeling the need for the "piece of paper" and remain comitted to each other and happy for their whole lives. If this is not for you and you want the marriage thing then go for it. Good luck to both of you - love and light - Amara xx

Have a very straightforward talk with him about what it is that he wants. If you are ready for marriage and kids and he is not, then maybe he needs to know that you won't wait around for him forever.

dOES IT BOTHER YOU NOT HAVE THE PAPER BECAUSE IT IS NOT OFFICAIL OR BECAUSE OF MORAL BELIEFS. IF ITS MORAL BELIEFS YOU SHOUNDN'T COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES AND NEED TO EXPLAIN TO YOUR BOYFRIEND THAT YOU LOVE HIM BUT YOU CANT LIVE IN LIMBO FOREVER AND HE NEEDS TO DECIDE WHERE HE THINKS YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS GOING

IF ITS JUST TO MAKE IT OFFICAL THEN YOU SHOULD CONSIDER STARTING YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR LIFE TOGETHER. MARRIAGE TO COAME PEOPLE IS JUST A PIECE A PAPER AND TO THEM YOU MAKE YOU VOW BEFORE GOD AND FAMILY. YOUR KIDS WILL CAN STILL HAVE HIS LAST NAME AND ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT THEY HAVE TO LOVING PARENTS YOU LOVE EACH OTHER AND HAVE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER NOT A PIECE OF PAPER.

ask him to marry you, why shouldn't the girl do that for a change?

if he says no... at least you know where you are standing.

good luck!!!