Mar 09, 2007 4:45 PM GMT
Okay, six years ago, I was happy and proud to introduce him as my boyfriend. But now that we've been living together for 4.5 years, and we've moved cross country together twice, not to mention we're pushing 40, the term 'boyfriend' seems a tad casual.
We've been saying 'partner', but seems far too businesslike. And when I talk about past business partners, I suddenly get to urge to clarify lest people think I'm speaking of ex-boyfriends.
Of course, there's 'significant other', which is a P.C. mouthful (and not in the good way).
And though I feel he completes me, 'other half' seems an odd way to introduce him.
I'd love to call him a 'husband', but that refers to a specific institution that currently insists on disincluding us. (Though admittedly, if we were in the City rather than the Sticks, I'd use the term regardless.)
Clearly, we need to coin a new term to acnowledge the sanctity of our 'life partnerships' (which strikes me as being a bit clinical).
So, has anyone out there come up with a new turn-of-phrase to describe his long-term committed butt-buddy?
We've been saying 'partner', but seems far too businesslike. And when I talk about past business partners, I suddenly get to urge to clarify lest people think I'm speaking of ex-boyfriends.
Of course, there's 'significant other', which is a P.C. mouthful (and not in the good way).
And though I feel he completes me, 'other half' seems an odd way to introduce him.
I'd love to call him a 'husband', but that refers to a specific institution that currently insists on disincluding us. (Though admittedly, if we were in the City rather than the Sticks, I'd use the term regardless.)
Clearly, we need to coin a new term to acnowledge the sanctity of our 'life partnerships' (which strikes me as being a bit clinical).
So, has anyone out there come up with a new turn-of-phrase to describe his long-term committed butt-buddy?