*nods in agreement with the green sage*

Marriage is a social custom, defined by local mores, traditions and laws. People get married for various reasons all the time, none of them terrible special or important.

Love is the real thing. Can't be regulated, taxed, or turned into a tool of state.

*growls* Yes, this mean, grumpy old bird is a closet romantic. And anyone who laughs or stares will find a fishhook in thier cereal one morning. A big one.

We travel and do crazy things together. Can't complain in that department

If you want to know what nasty looks like, try yours truely when I catch someone trying to wreak someone elses relationship.
I have never found myself a soulmate and I get seriouly pissed off at people who have wreaked their own relationships and decide that because they ain't happy, no one else is going to have one either.

A lot of it depends on what expectations that you have about marriage.

Suitability? perfect vs. average... Our popular culture teaches us to value the flash over the substance. This works great for photo-ops and sucks for long term marriages. Partnership, Communication, Common Interests and Relative Libedo are far more important. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Economics? Again depends on your expectations -- Are you looking for the 50's single income household with a picket fence? Is materialism a value that you share? Then, yes your income level going into a marriage is a big concern. Are you both looking to work as equal partners on the combined household, and seek out a less materialistic life? Then it's actually cheaper to get married or at least live together with the efficiency of shared resources.

In a survival situation? Its definitely valuable to have a second pair of hands that you can trust completely and psychologically healthier if you're isolated for even a short period of time. But, all these concerns are still the last reasons you should consider...

It's all about love...

(note to self: extra affection tonight for her crazy, nerdy and fuzzy hubby <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

Homewreckers are despicable -- male and female alike. I have seen way too many children grow up without a father or mother around because of them. Sure, the adulterer among the married couple is guilty and can start the affair, yadda, yadda, yadda.....but the homewrecker is a key ingredient that has to be there. Preachers, deacons, you name it: homewreckers come in all shapes and sizes.