I always find it amazing when women sound so enlightened and intelligent and act so very much the contrary.

Forget the weekend road trips to supposedly see mommy and daddy---- What's up with the lady after dating this "wonderful" man one, two, three, four, five, six long years, buying a house with him and even thinking about being his babies momma - Has not even mentioned once that there is a small little thing called MARRIAGE, the truest form of commitment even on the horizon. Sound like he is committed to spend his free time with those who matter most in his life. And it ain't her.

So, I don't blame him. He is milking the cow for free- Why not, She's still giving good milk.

Marriage simply isn't necessary for some people. Given how easy it is to divorce these days, you can't really say that it's the "truest form of commitment". If the commitment is there, being married or not won't alter it. If the commitment isn't there, being married or not won't alter it. She didn't sound like she cared about marriage in her letter, simply the weekend trips to visit mom and dad.

It's funny you should mention the milk thing. When I moved in with the man who is now my husband, we weren't even engaged. My mom asked me, "Why would he buy the cow if he can get the milk for free?" and my response was, "And here I was thinking that I was getting the milk for free!"

In any case, even if they were married that wouldn't change her problem, especially since marriage doesn't really change a relationship. It only gives it legal validation that makes it easier for the couple in case of emergency.