"Butter for your roll?" "No thanks, I'll be using the seven-point spread..."

If I never get married, it's not my fault.

Oh, I'm sure I'll have some small part in it, but I won't accept the blame if I ever find myself in a relationship where that becomes (to everyone else) the only logical conclusion. Marriage doesn't need to be the only goal of a relationship. It doesn't need to be the ULTIMATE goal. Society impresses upon us that any couple (I'm sorry, any "male/female" couple...this is society we're talking about, not normal, intelligent, free-thinking human beings) who has been together for some time, or even has a kid or two together, and doesn't get married is either a) - comprised of heathens who will burn for their sins or b) - miserable and doomed to heartache and despair. No one ever checks option c) - happy, in love, and content in knowing this with their partner. Why does this couple need some ceremony that costs money and takes time out of everyone's schedule to confirm that yes, indeed, they are in love and plan on staying that way. Hell, the "staying that way" is what makes the marriage the worst part. If you're dating for seven years, and then decide that maybe this isn't the person who you are supposed to be with, you are simply "breaking up". or "seeing other people". If it is your husband or wife, then you're "divorcing"....and all that that implies. Ugly business, that.

My life thus far has not been filled with an exemplary marriages. If you want to take it in chronological order, my great-grandfather left my great-grandmother with their children. My parents divorced when I was two, introducing me to the phrase "visitation rights", which I would become familiar with for the next 12 years. My aunt and uncle divorced when their children were around 7 or 8...an ugly custody battle ensued which, for awhile, resulted in my one cousin living in Florida and her sister living in Pennsylvania.
This doesn't even take into consideration the marriages of close friends. The point is, I couldn't help but wondering that if these people , who obviously weren't meant to be together, hadn't felt compelled to be married and live a "traditional" life, they would not have had to deal with the trials and tribulations that come with divorce. I'm sure there were little nagging thoughts in the backs of all their heads at some point that said to them "It's inevitable...", but was ignored in order to do the "right thing". Instead, they all went for the first "real" and somewhat lengthy relationship since high school, and stuck with it. Many of these people moved on to find other husbands and wives, and at this point are still with them. They were there, just needed looking for.
So, why the diatribe?

My sister threw her husband out. Thanksgiving night, after we ate dinner, while the rest of us were in the house. It was quiet, so none of us heard, none of us knew. Not outright. Something didn't feel right to me in that house the minute I set foot in there and said hello to my sister. The kids were in a mood, the husband was quieter than usual. Hence, I hid in the basement, watching TV. Apparently, my brother-in-law has a bit of a gambling problem, and they now have less in their bank account than I do. I'm one person, barely surviving on what I have, and he's supporting a fucking family of four.

"It's inevitable..."