Sooooooooooooo, yeah, this is different

THE BOYFRIEND and I went out Friday night to The Tavern, as usual.  We were hanging out there with friends, having a grand ol' time, when it happened.  I was standing up at the end of the table, THE BOYFRIEND  and a friend were chatting and watching my terrible dancing to

   

They whispered something to each other.  I, of course, knew that it was something about me.  Probably something like "She's so cute" or akin to that.  I asked what they were talking about, and all I got a "nothing" in reply.  Later I find out what was said.  

"Lizi says I should marry you."

"Oh, I don't need you to marry me.  I just want you to stay with me."

And that was that.  No more talk of it between THE BOYFRIEND and me since.  Last night, at a NYE party.  I asked Lizi if she actually said that to him.

"Yes, I did say he should marry you.  And he said he was going to marry you."

WHAT WHAT WHAT?!   My head is spinning now, with this new information.  I'm most certainly not ready to be married.  And I most certainly don't really want to get married.  I think about it, yeah.  I'm a hopeless, hopeless romantic who dreams of falling in love with the right person and getting to spend the rest of our lives together.  But realistically I don't need a piece of paper saying that.  And to me, and him, that is all that marriage is.  To others, maybe not.  But to us, yeah.  And I do like planning a wedding, with all the flowers and dresses, and other pretty stuff to look at.  Wearing a gorgeous dress, and getting all trussed up and ruffled out.  But that is too much work and stress to deal with. 

Now, he could be talking about common law marriage to me, just for being together a really long time.  That I can believe and understand.  Plus, I can't really avoid it all that much. 

I asked THE BOYFRIEND to come to my family Christmas this year, 2013.  He said he would and even has put in the time off request for it already.  I hope it goes well.  I mean, my family isn't completely unlike his.  Except for the drinking and the weed smoking, they are pretty damn similar.   Plus, I hope we have time to hang out with my best friend back home, finally get a chance to meet and all that jazz.

All in all, I'm kinda lookin' forward to this year comin' up.  No idea what it will hold for me.  But if it's anything like this past year, it's going to be wonderful!