In fact, traditional marriage is suffocating. Given this cultural conditioning, it isn't surprising that fewer and fewer women, and men, are marrying. There was a time when people felt an obligation to wed. Marriage signified membership in the club of grown-ups. The Bible admonishes a man to leave his parents and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Marriage is more than a partnership and more than companionship, though both are important.
Marriage is a land that singles can only glimpse, like passengers on a ship within sight of, but still far from, shore. It's a kiss in the morning and a hug on coming home in the evening. It's knowing that someone knows you as well as any other person can. It's going through life joined at the heart.