We HAVE talked about marriage. I just didn't mention it in the original post, have in the 3rd post of mine. And she is as fixated on me as I am on her. She wishes I'd have proposed by now but she is one to jump in to things, the way she was raised. And I was raised to give things time, and make sure it's the right decision before jumping into it. I have known her and her kids for a year and have only been dating 6 months. Anyway, we are totally in love. We both feel like the relationship is near perfect... we're both honest, open, loyal, attracted to each other completely, completely shared interests. She respects my views and I respect hers. Our few fights are more discussions than fights and we understand each other. we both feel like people search for what we have their whole lives and half don't find it. This is the ONLY issue we have. I know you have to sacrifice for what you want, and I know it'd be my decision to stay if I don't have kids, so it wouldn't harbor resentment towards her since I'm responsible for my own life and decisions. I'm just at a point where I feel like the 2nd dad. And even though their real dad only takes them 4 days a month and mostly leaves them with his parents, I don't know if they'd love me as dad as apposed to love me as mike. P.s. we are on a break right now as of today for. Few weeks with no communication so I can think without seeing her to cloud my thoughts with emotions, and so she knows I've had this time away to think about things thoroughly. And I'm not trying to be the knight in shining armor. She deals with their drama, I'm only there for support. She is very independent, which I love, and I let her talk with him as much as she needs, and she takes care of that situation. I don't have a thing to do with that drama.