Interesting how these details can mean so much to some, and so little to others!  My boyfriend and I have a long-standing, committed relationship, and the fact that we're not married has never bothered either one of us.  While I never feel the need to explain it to anyone else, there are definitely those who want it explained to them!  At weddings and other events, we're often met with "When are you getting married," "Why aren't you married yet?", etc.  The other day we joked that perhaps we should just tell them we ARE married and save ourselves the trouble.  So sometimes, the issue of labels isn't even about how you want to be seen by others--it's about how they want to see you!  

That said, I'm stickin' to my guns here and now almost enjoy the look of confusion on these people's faces--and appreciate all the more those fine people who smile and accept it as perfectly normal.