I am afraid BF won't marry me
I have been with my bf for one and half years. I was diagnosed with stage II BC about a year ago just a couple months into our relationship. Thankfully he has been my greatest supporter, he even keeps telling me he will always be there for me. I want to get married one day, I am just that kind of girl will consider marriage as a goal of every relationship. I do talk about it with him a couple times, he says he is not ready yet and he needs time. It makes me feel sad, jealous, and even angry when I hear a friend or a coworker just got engaged, went to Europe for honeymoon, etc, I just want to be like them, healthy and happy! I was only 29 when I got this damn disease, I just want to the rest my life can be a little easier!
Please give me some advice how to get out of this downward emotional spiral?
Comments
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I think you run the risk of pushing him away if you put pressure on. You are vey uoung to be dealing with this damn disease and I think some counselling with a Counsellor who Works with cáncer patients would really help you.
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I have never been a fan of marriage but a nice institution if children are in the mix. I just caution you that marriage is not to be entered in lightly ESPECIALLY if both parties aren't completely committed. My thoughts.... that dear man is by your side so what difference do you think a government paper does? Focus on your well being and the man that loves you. If that is not enough security then perhaps like Lily said, try counseling or find another that will give you that legal marriage certificate?
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Studies have shown that when people 'decide' on something, they tend to be more satisifed with their choice, than if they still have options. I just listened to an NPR podcast on this and the scientist, who had a lovely live in for years decided to propose after realizing the study results. Marriage has more perks than just a 'government paper'. Here's the podcast on making decisions: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510308/hidden-brain
That said, you can't put your life on hold waiting for him to be ready. You are in your 30s and it's still to follow your dreams and find your niche. Maybe your dependency on him is what is keeping him ambivalent? Perhaps let him know that if he's not ready to settle down, you are and you'll need to move on and keep looking for someone ready as well... That may help him decide it's time and if not, move on and find someone more mature.
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Dear Ste, why would you spend your days being unhappy over some paperwork? Do you feel he is the one for you? If yes, focus on being happy and fully living the relationship. If you are not entirely happy because he has whatever flaws you cannot stand, then maybe is time to reconsider the status of the two of you.
A marriage certificate won't keep the two of you together if the relationship does not really work. That's why half of the marriages end up in divorce. And if the relationship works, the lack of a marriage certificate won't stop the two of you being together until old age. It is as simple as this.
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Thank you ladies for all your replies! I agree with Lisey, I really think marriage has its significance. I love my bf so much, we have great relationship, I know I will wait for him even I am not sure how long I have to wait. Also I don't think I could find somebody else if I left him due to my illness. I don't want to be alone.
It is hard. -
The fear of being alone is not a good reason to marry, it can be one of the very worst reasons. No one is more alone than one who is married to the wrong person. I can attest to this via personal experience. "Unmarried" is not synonymous with "alone".
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". .. he says he is not ready yet and he needs time. It makes me feel sad, jealous, and even angry when I hear a friend or a coworker just got engaged, went to Europe for honeymoon, etc, I just want to be like them, healthy and happy! I was only 29 when I got this damn disease, I just want to the rest my life can be a little easier!
Please give me some advice how to get out of this downward emotional spiral?"Stephi, it really, really sucks that you got BC at age 29 and your anger is justified, it is so unfair.
As for the BF, and arguments by some that marriage is "just a piece of paper", I strongly disagree, especially if people are still young ( some older people do not want to marry because their social security payments go down).
I am 63 and came of age when free love and living together without marriage became accepted by society, even considered hip. It was great for men because they could get free sex on demand without having to commit to a woman, but could still easily leave for someone more interesting or more attractive without legal hassles, alimony payments, or other separation headaches. Not wearing a wedding ring also signals to other women that a guy is probably still available, as there are many women, yourself probably included, who would not dream of messing with a married man but if a couple is just living together, well, there is understandable hope he could just leave, or wants to leave.
Women were often left holding the bag emotionally when this would happen.Call me a cynic, but I have been around the relationship block too many times to buy the line your BF is giving you. I would absolutely get counseling, ( and possibly a psychiatrist for depression medications), as others have suggested, and consider asking the BF directly what exactly he is not ready for or needs more time for, e.g., is it the uncertainty of life with a woman with BC that puts him off, worry you will want children, worry he will have to support you, that he is still looking around, or what exactly. The answer may be that he is not just not ready to commit now, but possibly never will be, despite being there for you for the last year. He may still be there but not want to marry you because he has not yet found a suitable replacement, so he is keeping options open by not proudly putting on that ring for all to see.
You may still want to stay with him even if he is uncommitted, but it should not be because you think women with BC have to be "alone." They do not, as others said. I know men who have married women with a history of BC, good solid men, and I would not cut yourself short.
I wish you the best, which you deserve. -
Who is to say you’ll be alone after because of your illness? I hope you the best! And he did stay by your side, which is a great sign.
I had the opposite experience when diagnosed at 33, my bf became an asshole (guess he always). So live in the moment if you can. One step st a time. And there is no reason to believe you can’t find someone else after an illness -
Hi Toughcookie, I am very sorry that you boyfriend was not supportive. I feel lucky mine still stays and tries his best to help me, but it just doesn't seem like he will bring up the marriage talk any time sooner. You are right, life is short and never be prefect, I should just live in the moment! I really wish you will find someone who will love you and be there to support no matter what after treatment.

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Hi ladies, me and boyfriend got married a week ago. What a surprise when he asked me to research how to get marriage license...!
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