I completely agree with Mal ^^. We got married because we wanted to, we both wanted that celebration and all that goes with it, but mostly cause we're mushy ("I'm going to declare my love for you to the whole entire world!!!!"). I don't think it was necessary in any practical sense.
I would have proposed to Quadro, but he wanted to do the asking, and told me so. That was fine with me - although I would have asked a lot sooner!! I don't think the societal pressure is only on women - men feel like they have to do the proposal thing as well. I think it's probably very hard to be the man in the relationship - there are a lot of expectations of his taking charge, when that doesn't work for everyone.
Besides, since it seems like men often need more time to feel ready, maybe it's not so bad that they're "supposed" to ask - maybe women would ask "too" soon!
