Trying to get on track

in_need_of_direction

Thanks beanie, you are so right as usual. Aside from anything else, the only situation they would accept would be marriage in a Catholic Church. However, since I made that mistake at 17, it's not an option available and I'm not giving up my OH to suit their prejudices. He wouldn't be too happy either but they'd sooner he was unhappy that condemning his eternal soul to burn in the fires of hell. I'm not mocking people's beliefs, just saying there's a balance and OH is so much happier in our set up than he was on his own dealing with issues of the type you read about here while his comfortably off parents wouldn't lift a finger to help. There just needs to be more tolerance.

beanielou

& that just sums up everything I loathe about so called religious beliefs.
Just like the Sunday Christians.
Toddles off before people throw things.

Greying_Pilgrim

Beanie's right.

And I have to say, there is much to be celebrated for long-lasting 'partnership'. DH and I were together for over 20 years before we actually got married. Folk say it's 'easy to walk away' from a partnership if things go wrong. It isn't.

We put our all into our partnership and gave great love and respect to each other. Supporting each other through the tough bits, and having a giggle at the funny moments. Having said that, I am surprised at how much difference I felt (in a positive way) when we decided to get married, the run up to it and now that I am married. I didn't think things could be any better. But they can

Two people can be very lonely in a marriage, and they can be a sum greater than their parts in a partnership. I like to think that we grew in our partnership together and this evolved into a marriage. I'm glad that we took the step to get married (in hindsight), but I would have been equally proud of the longevity of our partnership if we had chosen not to take that step.

Which is a very long-winded way of saying, hold your head up high, squeeze your OH's hand tightly and smile. Long and lasting partnerships come in all types of packaging - none is better than the other, and they should all be celebrated

Greying X

misstara

I feel for you INOD. Me and OH have been together for almost 13 years and have no plans to get married. I come from a very religious family and it took them a very long time to accept the fact that we live together and would not be getting married. My parents are fine with it and realise that we are happy as we are, however, even now at every family event, there will be the odd comment from the wider family. I just ignore them, as long as me and OH are happy, that's the main thing. I hope the anniversary thing goes as well as it can do.

in_need_of_direction

Thanks for all the support. I'm content with how things are for us. I just wish other people would butt out. Anyways, it's Monday and a new month so hopefully one in which we will achieve lots. Yesterday was NSD and I'm hoping for another today. We have excess sausages and a bap available in the kitchen so I'm going to bring those to work for my lunch. It also means that the bap won't be left to go mouldy. It also means that I need to get a wiggle on. Hopefully everyone's working week gets off to a good start.

Buffythedebtslayer

Just dropping by to say thank you for all your support and friendship. I really appreciate it. Hope all goes well at the various family gatherings. The fun part of those for me is that everyone assumes I am a lesbian as there is no man in tow. Apply fixed grin and hope for the best!

XXX

doingitanyway

Excess sausage baps? Yum. I'm trying to diet, but that sounds divine

in_need_of_direction

I'm back, I'm shattered, I survived the weekend. I have decided that OH's middle brother is a !!!! who is totally lacking in social skills. I now need to go to work!

beanielou

You survived though. :j

in_need_of_direction

So glad to be heading towards the weekend. It's been a funny old week. Yesterday was spent at a friend's dad's funeral. He was 90 and died with his family so not too tragic but still a big loss. Back to the office today to who knows what but definitely a few hot potatoes to be dealt with. Broader issues still need to be dealt with and while these aren't for me, it creates a bit of an atmosphere that isn't pleasant. Today we're having a charity coffee morning though I'm not sure that the organisation is there. My contribution is sausage baps. So better get a wiggle on and get these packed up. Hope things are going well for everyone.