I never close the door on something completely. Once I thought myself "in love" with a girl I've known since high school. She was/is beautiful, funny, smart, and essentially the much cooler female version of myself. I wanted nothing more than to be with her for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately, the feelings I experienced weren't both ways. I found myself relegated to the friend zone, which was painful for a number of years as I tried to balance the way I felt for her with my desire to have her in my life in whatever way possible.

In the end I made the decision to maintain a friendship and have been able to force those feelings away. I'd never close the book on marriage as I do believe there is a counterpoint for every soul, but the feelings I have for this girl have made dating or developing outside relationships difficult for me. I'm rather old fashioned in a way as I believe that marriage is reserved for the right person.

Never say never again. But it's going to be a while.

I'm not going to say no because you never know. It would definitely have to be the right man and there would have to be major advantages to being married.

I would... if I met the right person. There are a lot of legal benefits and protections under marriage.

All of my relationships were before gay marriage was legal. I do wonder if I might have stuck things out longer and put more effort into trying to stay together if breaking up was more complicated than just packing up and leaving. To legally entangle yourself with someone else requires a lot more commitment.

I am not sure what marriage means to me anymore. It's a promise that is easily (and frequently) broken. The religious like to wield it as a weapon. It often creates significant financial risk for one or both parties... My kids have grown, so that "need" for legality has passed.

Is there any other way to assure rights when one member is hospitalized? Most hospitals state visits from family, only. Unmarried is not recognized as family.

Yeah, sure. Eventually. Not the religious part, but the legal part. And the social part. I like the idea of making a commitment to someone that says we’re a team, who supports my growth as I support his ... that can laugh with me at the end of the day, and plot and strategize future adventures together. Y’know, all that couple stuff. And I can do that without a registering with the government.

However, we have so many legal systems here – such as availability of health insurance, and division of property under a will - that are based on that partnership that I’d prefer it. I’ve seen too many cases where life partners were restricted from making medical decisions because other relationships (children, parents, sibs) took legal priority. If assets are a concern, just have a good prenup. If someone doesn’t want to discuss details of a potential breakup, then I wouldn’t want to marry them.

Why does it always have to be the right person? Why not the left person?

I would not legally marry. But I could commit forever, if I met the right guy.

If I meet the right person? That's BIG if. I can't answer without knowing who that would be, but just based on what I know about marriage after a 28 year run that ended 8 years ago, I'd say no, no I wouldn't.

I would have to meet someone incredible for me to ever do that again

not at this point in my life

Stated I would marry my wife the first time I saw her and it is now 58 years later and I still feel exactly the same.

I have never been the marriage type. I have no problem being exclusive or living together I just don't think God or the government should get into my love life. (There are some reasons I would get married though. For example if I met someone out of the country and they wanted to be a citizen here or vice versa.)

Been married twice...unless having children, see no reason whatsoever to "get legal".

Yeah I'm not into legal marriage I'm too old to give all my stuff away and start over

As of now the only reason I could see myself getting married again would be for health insurance purposes.

But I’m pretty recently divorced after 21 years of marriage so who knows, perhaps I’ll change my mind with time.

I would but would rather live together. My ideal relationship, in exchange for cooking and cleaning for me, I have sex 1-2 times a month.

I would not give up my independence, I love the freedom to do as I please and make my own decisions. I had a long and happy marriage and it would take a pretty rare man to tempt me back into matrimony. but like Ellatynemouth ......never say never!

Never say never...

No, ...
And the right person doesn’t want to get married either.

Why marry the Cow when milk is cheaper at the convenience store ?

The right woman for me would never agree to something like that in the first place.

Marriage is not necessary. A piece of paper is not proof of loyalty, love or reasons to trust someone. If they really want it and the relationship has its solid grounds - maybe, but not without a prenup. Contributing to a life together with our own efforts and finances is great (e.g split the rent, split costs and be there for each other when needed), but I don’t feel ok being legally/economically bind to someone- not after working so hard on my own for years. If I want to buy a home, that mortgage is going to be under my name. If I want to do some other major thing in my life, I’d like to stay solely responsible for it.

Would love to meet the right person, though not sure marriage is necessary at this point in my life, I'd be open to it with the right person. Marriage is a commitment to be there no matter what, but as I tell my clients, a piece of paper falls apart in hot water, so it all really boils down to each partner's personal honor and integrity in wanting to keep the promises made to each other.

Nope, no god and it's none of the government's business, so no point to marriage.