Why keep waiting?? Escaping from this by keeping busy does not make the problem go away. Will you be content if you spend another 5 yrs with this man to find out he'll never give you that level of commitment? Will you look back and regret you wasted so many years waiting for someone who just didn't want to ever marry?
Sit him down and ask him his thoughts. You can't wait in a holding pattern forever. If you want to marry and he's happy being with you, WHY NOT? Five years is plenty of time for him to decide if you're long-term material. If you really want him to appreciate you, you may have to be prepared to leave for him to really understand he truly needs you in his life.
Or plan B is you propose to him.
Or plan C is grow old waiting for him to get to that level of commitment.... but if you wait long enough, you may be eligible for common-law marriage, depending on your state's law. But deep down you may always resent it.
I don't think there's anything wrong with marriage, if that's what you want. Don't apologize to anyone for wanting to cement this relationship. Marriage also has legal & tax benefits. And you've earned it by being a good mate for 5 years, so why shouldn't you be happy?
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