Sell By Date

Do relationships have a sell by date?

Do you, dear readers, have a timeline in your mind that says if you haven't crossed a certain milestone by a certain time, it's time to get out of the relationship? I don't mean the silly ones, like if someone hasn't held your hand by the fourth date (or whatever), I mean the big ones. Like...if you've been dating happily for two years, do you live together? Buy a house? Share silverware? Use the same tube of toothpaste? Do you get engaged? How long do you stay engaged before getting married? You know, timelines (I can't help it, I'm a reformed project manager).

I know that the trend in European countries is to NOT get married, but to cohabitate and have a family without making it official. I met a number of couples who had been living together for ten or fifteen years, and had children, and who were quite happy unwed. I wonder why they are so comfortable without the ring/paper when we are not? Social pressure? Any ideas?

Why do we as a culture fish and cut bait? Is this purely a female trend? Do men do this as well?

I mean, I'm getting old (er) and am well aware that I am running out of time to be farting around. The timeline I had for myself in my twenties: married at twenty seven, first child at thirty, second child at thirty three....well, we all know how that worked out. I hit the first one all right...so now I have to reevaluate. Do I have a sell by date? I wonder....