Why would she marry me?

[Doubleknow]

BF and I got togehter in middle age and have been together long enough that friends have started to 'joke' about a wedding.

Our financial situations are not equal. I am a widow woth high assets and good pensions, plus adult DC. He is a bachelor who has never settled into a permanent life and has few assets. That's OK, we have a nice life living seperately and I have always been clear that we will never live together or marry, mainly to protect DC inheritance. Also whilst I do think marriage is important when raising children, I don't see any need at our time of life.

Last time a friend 'joked', he said 'why would Double marry me?'

Which made me strangely sad. He's right there's not reason I would marry him, but it's sad that he feels it. I'd previousy believed he didn't want to marry either but now I wonder.

Any reason to change anything? If we were younger and I was the man, I'd probably be telling him to run, but we're not.

The need to change (or have a discussion) really depends on what you want. If you’re committed to retaining your stance that marriage and co-living is off the table, then to a certain degree it is what it is. If you recognise that maybe there is a hope (on his side? Both?) towards evolving the relationship (I’ve worded that clumsily and mean no judgement) then some discussion around the future might be beneficial. There are ways to live together and protect your/dc interests.