and yet... I've seen this happen a few times. A woman dates a man for a few years, wants to get married, he doesn't, they split up, and a year later he's marrying someone else. So there is some truth to the statement that he just may not be that into her.

I have also seen women who don't want to ever get married stay with their life partners for decades, while others get married and divorced repeatedly. So marriage does not necessarily equate to commitment.

I think the most important thing - figure out what you want and be clear about it. If you need a ring, then there is nothing wrong with letting him (or her) know.

I am perfectly happy on my own. I might get married. I might not. It doesn't matter that much to me, but I wouldn't live with him without being married. But I've often thought, I might not want to live with him even if we were married, LOL!