I have been with my boyfriend for 9.5 yrs, I am now nearly 26. Naturally, I have been thinking about the next step and getting married, probably started thinking about it a year ago, perhaps longer. I waited... and waited, no proposal. I have tried to talk about it on numerous occasions and he has basically said he is still not ready for marriage and still doesn't know if he wants to get married to me.

What's frustrating is our relationship is great and when I ask him what he feels is wrong with our relationship to give him these doubts, he says that there is nothing wrong and he is completely happy with me and our relationship! He has just asked me to give him more time. But how long do I keep on waiting? I have waited nearly 10 years. This situation is starting to have such a negative effect on me, making me insecure in our relationship and myself. I'm now starting to think about leaving him and I'm just finding it too hard to be with someone that is still unsure if he wants a future with me.

I don't want to pressure him to marry me, but at the same time I don't want to sacrifice my own happiness. Please help.

He is happy and content with you, the way you are. He doesn't want or need a piece of paper to validate what you already have. I'm having the same problem. I've waited five years. If you must have marriage, give him the option. Marriage or single life. Leave if you must. I'm about to do this very thing. You don't want to waste more time waiting for a proposal that may never come.

Making him set a date for marriage is not pressure.

Think about it. Why should he marry you? He has it all now.

Can you make a case for marriage that will override his contentedness with the status quo? What more will he gain by marrying you?