I have been with my partner for over 17 years and we have a pretty good relationship. We are good mates, have a reasonable sex life and generally have a good life. The problem is I want to get married and he doesn't, to be honest it was never really that important to me until a couple of years ago when he left me for a month and I think my need for more of a commitment has stemmed from there. I have tried to talk to him about it but whenever I bring up the subject he makes all sorts of excuses like he does not believe in it, we cannot afford, what does a bit of paper matter etc etc. To make matters worse whenever he introduces me to someone he always calls me his wife and this really bugs me. I am 45 years old and just feel a bit of a twat being the girlfriend. He tells me he loves me to bits but to be honest I think if he did he would be proud to marry me. Oh and it is not a financial thing, I am the bread winner and the mortgage is in my name, so that is not the problem. The whole thing is making me miserable but not really sure why I am so upset. All our family including our 10 year old have asked us whey have not married and don't really have any answers other than " he does not want to marry" which makes him angry when I say this in front of people. Any thoughts anyone? Just want to make sure I am not being unreasonable