I agree that commitment is more than marriage, and if you don't have that
FIRST then that marriage is doomed. I am lucky and happy to say that I have been in a committed relationship for two years with someone I was friends with for five years prior to that. A lot of people keep asking us when we are going to get married, but to tell you the truth that is not the first thing on our agenda. With all the time that we have known each other we are still getting to
KNOW each other (if that makes any sense)
. Sure I would love to spend the rest of my life with him, but if I am going to take that step I need to be 200% sure!
I have also gone through the discouraged phase of my life, and the ladies who are still there, are for good reason. While there may be some good men out there (i.e. well mannered, good job, educated, etc.), some of them are still missing that component to make a relationship work. And I know a lot of women who will stay in a relationship based on that basic criteria, and just accept all the other bull$#@& that may come along as well.
I think Ashanti said it best in "Foolish"......"
All the things that we accept, be the things that we regret ".