10 Year Anniversary!!

@dandj929 (423)
United States
May 20, 2008 9:53am CST
Today is our 10 Year Anniversary!! I can't believe it. But the thing is, it we aren't married, so when we are out celebrating and we tell people it's our anniversary, people say, "Wow, you've been married for 10 years, that's great," we have to correct them. Then they look at us like we're crazy. We have decided not to get married. To go against the norm and just live our happy lives and raise our family just as we are. So my question to you all is: Do you technically have to be "married" to go out and celebrate such a milestone? Why do people look down on us for not being married? It is very frustrating. What is your opinion on the matter? Thanks!
1 person likes this
4 responses
mrbranan
@mrbranan (1012)
• United States
20 May 08
You know it reminds me of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russle. You know have lived together for many years and are not married but seem to be a lot happier than most celeberty couples. So if I were you I wouldn't worry about it. As long as neither of you want to get married I say go and be happy.
1 person likes this
dandj929
@dandj929 (423)
• United States
20 May 08
Thank you. We both come from broken homes and we look at is as if our home isn't broken, why fix it? Marriage wouldn't change anything for us, we are happy the way we are.
kerriannc
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
20 May 08
No you do not have to married to celebrate anniversaries. It is good that you are still together after so long. There are persons who are together for so long that they are afraid to marry. Some says that they are already married. LOL Well congratulation and I wish you all the best.
1 person likes this
dandj929
@dandj929 (423)
• United States
20 May 08
Thank you for the well wishes!
ravinskye
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
20 May 08
Well congrats on 10 years together! i don't think you have to be married to celebrate your time together. but i think you have to be realistic in the fact that people are naturally going to assume you are celebrating a wedding anniversary. Depending where you live wouldn't you be considered common law married? oh well anyways, marriage or not its great that you've been together so long. I wish you many more happy years!
dandj929
@dandj929 (423)
• United States
20 May 08
I think we are considered married by common law. I think it is seven years here in Connecticut. Thanks for the congratulations!
jonesy123
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
20 May 08
Go celebrate! You don't have to be married to celebrate anniversaries. Many people celebrate 'dating' anniversaries, lol. I just would overlook the comments and just smile and say thank you. Although technically you are not married, you are in all the ways it counts;)
1 person likes this
dandj929
@dandj929 (423)
• United States
20 May 08
Thank you for your reply. We have dinner reservations in a half an hour and my mom is here to babysit our daughter. We are off to celebrate!