What is marriage to you?

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Marriage means a lot of things to different people. To me, about five years ago, it was "the right thing to do." I got married at 18, had a baby 4 months later, and stayed loyal to this man I despised for five more years. All because I felt like I had to. For the child. I saw marriage as a simple piece of paper. I saw marriage as something not meant to last. Well, things have changed. When I divorced my husband, I promised myself I would never get married again because it was still "just a piece of paper." I am getting married next month to a man I love with all my heart, something I never thought possible and my views have completely changed. I now see marriage as a promise two people make to each other and themselves to share the rest of their lives. Starting a family is part of it... but it's not required and vice versa... a marriage isn't required for children to be raised. It helps, but it isn't required. Not in today's society. I never ever looked at marriage as a promise for the rest of my life until I met this man. So... how do you view marriage? Is it something you're obligated to do and stick to? Or is it something you deeply care about and want to commit yourself to for the rest of your life? Or is it something in between? I'm very curious because my views have changed drastically over the course of a year!