i just want other people's opinions on this. it came up today because a 24-year-old co-worker of mine said that he wants to propose to his girlfriend of 2 years. they "broke up" last week but are back together, and now he wants to pop the question. another co-worker said she thinks that a couple must go out for 5 years before they get married; i don't have set years, exactly, but i think that knowing someone for 2 years is a little early... my problem with it, though, is that they've never lived together, and i think it's just practical and important to know if you can live with someone before you sign papers that say you must. what do you all think?