So I've been thinking a lot lately about this whole idea of 'why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free' saying. Some people manage to make it out with a 'purchase' or a ring so to speak. Others are appearing to be infinitely stuck.

To quickly summarize the saying (for those who may not be familiar), the idea is what incentive would a man have to make a woman his wife when he's already getting wifely things. It's often said in an attempt to encourage women to keep their legs closed, discourage living together before marriage, etc. But, we all know that doesn't work.

While the idea of living together before marriage is a tricky topic to traverse and I have no solid position on that topic as it applies to others, I will say that I do think there are some things that should be reserved for that married relationship. Exactly what those things are I'll leave up to the individual to decide. But, otherwise, outside of a wedding and legally binding documents, what do you have that is different? new? unique to the experience of being married?

I also believe that relationships can get very comfortable. And, depending on your mate, if you are doing what a wife would, why would he want to spend the money, go through the legal hassle to get what he's already getting right now, with little to no work? I just really feel that playing that wife role with out the wife title is just insane. Be a good girlfriend, leave the wifely stuff for when you actually are a wife.

To my fellas, please understand that there are many women out there that will willingly enter into these wifey/husband like situations (wether living together or not) with the hopes that they are laying a foundation for a real marriage very soon. They agree to this as a way to hopefully show you how good of a wife they can be. Ease any apprehensions you may have towards marriage. If you truly have no intentions on marrying that woman, and you care about her at all, don't let her waste her time, her life away. Tell her so she can decide if she's going to stick around to try and change your mind or get out.

To my ladies, if you know for a fact that this man has no intentions of marrying you, when you really reflect and be honest, without making exceptions or excuses, let him go. The longer you waste your time trying to change or convince him otherwise, you're missing out on an opportunity to meet someone who is out there willing to give you everything and more you want and need. And while it may seem like it's impossible to find, there are men out there like that. You just have to be ready to receive them.