tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16201378.post106160279375307885..comments2023-12-28T18:17:11.191-05:00Comments on Gruntled Center: Cohabitation PracticeGruntledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14377809238377382438noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16201378.post-26718335902440739332014-04-05T12:53:52.235-04:002014-04-05T12:53:52.235-04:00Possibly a bit. It doesn't seem like it was to...Possibly a bit. It doesn't seem like it was too different with our parents (as both sets were immediately welcoming of both of us), but it did seem to be different with W's siblings, as I became more permanent. I've noticed that strangers treated us differently, though - saying "husband" instead of "boyfriend" has a different connotation, and one that seems to be more well-respected in these parts. Plus, we were able to shed any negative perception of shacking up out of wedlock :)Adriananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16201378.post-2034284905578155682014-04-03T15:13:59.152-04:002014-04-03T15:13:59.152-04:00One big difference between cohabitation and marria...One big difference between cohabitation and marriage that we study is how the rest of the world treats you, especially your families. Did you find that to be different when you married?Gruntledhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14864860607925412103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16201378.post-61143912470806585562014-04-03T14:47:44.013-04:002014-04-03T14:47:44.013-04:00This is quite interesting - cohabitating is comple...This is quite interesting - cohabitating is complex. Honestly, Wally and I didn't experience much difference between cohabitation and marriage, with the exception of the future tense and finality of it. If we hadn't cohabitated, we probably would have married sooner - however, we wanted to make sure that we were making an intentional choice to marry rather than sliding into it. During cohabitation, we found it necessary to be open and honest about our finances (as we purchased a house together out of wedlock), future life goals (even as they shift), meal planning, and other logistical considerations. The biggest shift for us is the future life planning, such as being on the same page about the size of our family, our retirement savings, life insurance plans, and wills. We've seen some couples fall apart, regardless of whether they've cohabitated or not, due to not focusing on the big future picture of reality (not the romanticized version, such as the features of a wedding or how you'll decorate a home or nursery). Reality looks different for everyone, but certain principles seem to be universal to making marriage work.Adriananoreply@blogger.com