To Marry or Not to Marry

Wow! Next month it will be four years since Mike and I moved in together and blended our families. That's longer than either of my marriages lasted. While we're all working so hard to defend marital rights for those who want them, can we please take a moment to recognize the right NOT to get married? Why should I need a legal document to define my relationship? And why do people automatically assume I'm gay when I say "my partner"? Mike is more than my boyfriend (I hate that word at my age). He's my partner, FOR LIFE. I'd like to call him my husband, because for all intents and purposes that's what he is. I don't need a piece of paper to make me believe that!...(but I would like a diamond ring and a big party!)