
 Originally Posted by 
misombra
					 
				 
				i'm 1000% sure those unmarried, 40+ couples could really give a shit about what outsiders think about their relationship.
			
		 
	 
 Well, I know both. 40 somethings married and not. Together for 20+ years, so I can comment.
First major difference - the ones who aren't married don't have children. Second - the *woman* is the one who doesn't want marriage. The guy is cool with status quo, married or not, no matter to him.
I don't notice a difference in the quality of their love (far as I can tell). Tho, in general, it seems to me the unmarried LTRs treat each other better. But that could simply be b/c they don't have kids so most of their energy is focussed on each other. Kids changes the dynamic.
				
			 
			
		 
			
				
			
				 
			
			
				Second thoughts can generally be amended with judicious action; injudicious actions can seldom be recovered with second thoughts.
--Cyteen by C.J.Cherryh