My fairly traditional mother had a partner for 22 years after my dad died. She never once wanted to marry him or even live with him for these reasons, although they often traveled together or spent the night at each other's houses. She wanted her independence and to not have to cook and clean for him. She said it was the secret to making that relationship go so well and last so long, until finally her partner passed on.

I think more and more women, and even younger women who are still bombarded with the cultural narrative that they are not complete unless they marry are starting to figure this out as well. It will be interesting to see how things continue to shake out in the decades to come.