Tying The Not

For two years, I wanted to marry the woman I was dating. She wants to be married but said she'd never have strong enough feelings for me. I guess I assumed she'd never "waste" years with me unless she secretly thought I might be Mr. Right.

--Frustrated

If you say to a woman, "I wonder what our kids will look like," it's kind of a bad sign if she says, "Yeah, me too, and if your kids will end up playing with my kids." Unlike all the people who string romantic partners along, this woman did right by you -- giving you the gift of no hope. As for her "wasting" time, maybe she wants to marry but is content for now with the extended-stay one-night stand. When somebody tells you you'll never get what you want, you have a choice: stick around and continue never getting it, or make tracks and seek it somewhere else. Sometimes, leaving can help your partner see a gaping hole in their life (and here's hoping it isn't because you tripped on the power cord to their media center when you stormed out).