Love and Marriage

I have been thinking a lot lately about marriage. My boyfriend and I have talked about getting married, recently I have thought to myself, what exactly is marriage?

mar·riage

1.	the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.

2.	the state, condition, or relationship of being married; wedlock: a happy marriage.

3.	the legal or religious ceremony that formalizes the decision of a man and woman to live as husband and wife, including the accompanying social festivities: to officiate at a marriage.

4.	a relationship in which two people have pledged themselves to each other in the manner of a husband and wife, without legal sanction: trial marriage; homosexual marriage.

5.	any close or intimate association or union: the marriage of words and music in a hit song.

6.	a formal agreement between two companies or enterprises to combine operations, resources, etc., for mutual benefit; merger.

7.	a blending or matching of different elements or components: The new lipstick is a beautiful marriage of fragrance and texture.

8.	Cards. a meld of the king and queen of a suit, as in pinochle.

9.	a piece of antique furniture assembled from components of two or more authentic pieces.

10.	Obsolete. the formal declaration or contract by which act a man and a woman join in wedlock.

People get married because they are in love right? But... the definition of marriage doesn't even have the word LOVE in it...
So I met this guy right, and shortly after we started seeing each other, I knew I wanted to marry him. Him being previously married, is in no rush, which I COMPLETELY understand. However, for me, its not about being married. I no longer have a desire to get married.

For me its the wedding and the symbolism of it. I want to be surrounded by close friends and family and just celebrate us, our love, and life together. I want to be given away by my father and put in the care of my man. I want to stand in front of everyone I care about and show them that I have met the man of my dreams, and the man I want to spend forever with. Signing a marriage certificate isn't important to me, people I love being happy for me, is. I don't care about wedding gifts, I want everyone to come and have a great time. So I'm not wanting to get married, or have a wedding. I want a reception lol with a small speech, and people having fun and being happy for US.