I think at this stage of the game, marriage is not an option, now if someday I should be in that kind of relationship.. and there was some really good reason-say such as medical coverage or what have you, and it really made sense, to do, I would,as far as the commitment part goes.. i do not need or want that piece of paper that says marriage on it...oh come on now.. I'm not bitter.....

I know that I would never get married again. some things you learn to only do once. The stage I am at I cannot even see myself dating much less in a committed relationship. So for now I would have to say no to both.

I would love a relationship someday but never a marriage. I would like to meet a guy that would take me out to dinner or even make me a dinner and I would do the same for him. We could do things together and separate. I'd help him out and he'd help me out. We can be more than friends. We could vacation together.

If I get married again I think I could lose my maintenance. I shouldn't have to work with that but I will. I'm not sure how that will work out since I'm not divorced yet.

Bottom line I would really like a loving companion. But it would have to be a very committed relationship. I don't share.

I'm thinkin' a "friend with benefits" - that's what I'd want! Just kidding! I would NEVER NEVER NEVER get married again. I still believe in marriage - but not for me. I would never want to go through this again. Ever. I don't say that I wouldn't love to have a committed relationship, if that opportunity ever presented itself. I just think that, that piece of paper changes too much. Once you have it - all hell breaks loose. I think that piece of paper ruins everything! The only thing that I will ever be legally committed to again will be a mortgage or the "looney bin". LOL

Nice to hear from you wm98!

LOL Nan, the looney bin?

I'm not even ready for dating let alone a relationship, not sure I ever will be. I have some deep seeded trust issues, thanks to the ex. But if a miracle should happen I would definitely not get married. I'd lose certain benefits and I'm not willing to give them up. More importantly, I gave up way too much of myself for my ex and will never, ever do that again.

Marriage? You've got to be kidding? I went from Newland to McCracken to Newland and god only knows I aint changing my name again. I want friends with benefits, like Nan - I want to have fun - i want to watch the world with joy!

I would rather be hang upside down by my toenails than get married again....I will never be in a position to feel this kind of pain again....maybe somday a relationship, but never marriage.

Based on the fact that we've all been in a long term marriage, it wasn't a surprise that most of you responded with the committed relationship in lieu of marriage. I have to agree with Sld1, in that companionship is important, and you don't need to be married to have a comitted relationship with someone special. I also appreciated your response Nan on how the piece of paper can change things.
Nice input!

Never say never but at this point in my life I don't want another marriage.

I would consider a committed relationship but never again marriage. The marriage certificate to my ex gave him this idea that I belong to him forever and I'm to do as he please like a piece of property. I need to find and love myself again before I can even think about a committed relationship let alone marriage.

Ok. I'm going to weigh in here. Let me begin by saying that I am a die hard romantic and an optimist. I love going to sleep in someone's arms. I love waking up to someone. I love the physicalness of marriage a TON. Of course, there were other things about marriage that I enjoyed besides the physical (and some not so much like financial stuff). But on top of that, I believe pretty strongly in marriage from a spiritual perspective. However, I can see how being in a committed relationship would be the same as marriage except for the piece of paper. I guess I never saw my marriage as a piece of paper so I have a hard time differentiating. But it boils back down to the man in my life and me. If we decide that a committed relationship is what we want and works best for both of us, then that will be fine. If we decide that marriage is what we want, that will be fine, too. I think it depends on the situation, the people involved, and what they both want together. I think there can be some challenges on both sides.

I have to say something else. If I were in my 20's marriage would be a must. None of us are going to have children again. Or at least most of us. I think marriage is to have children. Why when most of our children are adults would we want to do it again?

I think marriage has a wonderful place. Just not at my age.

I want a best friend not a husband. I know they should be one in the same, but I didn't have that. Just someone who makes me feel important to them, who looks forward to being with me whether we're out to dinner or relaxing on the couch at home. I would be so nice to feel loved again - but marriage - nope!!!

I think marriage is more for young people wanting to start a family. They need the legal commitment for their children. My children are almost grown and soon to be on their own, so I don't feel the need for a legally binding relationship...got burned too bad on the last one. I think a good, sane travel companion and activity partner is all I am looking for at this stage of the game. I would want the relationship to be exclusive as I don't like to share, but I would rather he keep his own place and I keep mine...keep the finances separate too. I don't think I will be giving my heart away as easily as I did before. "Once bitten, twice shy."