...the couple I envy are *not* perfectly matched, yet they love each other like I've never *seen* before, never mind *feel.*
I think getting married because you're expected to be is the stupidest thing. How can anyone do something without really wanting to?
I also somewhat agree with Istanbul's idea that before taking such a "big" commitment, a person should live with the other for an extended period of time. I still think that it may *not* work. There are plenty of things that can happen that one can't foretell simply by living with another for 3 months, or even 3 years. Frankly, I think the idea of living with other in order to test his or her daily basis isn't a good idea, because if one truly loved the person, he should "take it all." Besides, living (or "testing") the person can't foretell what living with that person be like when there are kids around. I'm sure there are other things that can't be foreseen (good and bad) until unity has been established.
Rando, you have a perfectly matched relationship, yet...you can't have a computer (or internet access) at your place for reasons I wouldn't like to indulge in?
And how old are you anyway -- 23-26?
As for marriage in general, although it's lovely in some cases, I still think it's just a relationship, like many unmarried others. Commitment doesn't have to involve marriage. In fact, I once knew a good committed unmarried couple who, after 5 years, got married and are still married, happily, to this day. Personally, I'm willing to be in a relationship for 10 whole years, getting to know the person, and only after that will I get married -- I'll get married mostly so my parents and her parents be happy about it, most parents feel "happier" when their kids are actually married rather going on a married-like relationship for a *long* time...