A common law marriage must be dissolved as any other marriage – by divorce or death. There is no “common law divorce”; simply leaving the relationship does not diminish your responsibility to your common law husband or wife. If you intend to live with someone as a married couple but do not wish to enter into a common law marriage, you should each sign an agreement stating that you are each free, independent entities and do not wish to marry or become committed in the eyes of the law. Ancient Roman Marriage We know that ancient Romans got married, but were ancient Roman marriages similar to how we view marriage today? Read on to learn more about this fascinating subject. Ancient Roman marriage was not about love or shared goals at all. In fact, it was more about financial matters and political aspirations than romance. If you cannot think of a great way to propose, try one of these marriage proposal ideas. Go Back to the Place of Origin When thinking of marriage proposal ideas, men often think about the place of the first date. This is a great, romantic place to propose. If the first date spot is not available, other firsts can take its place. Those people that hold the tradition find it like betrayal if the bride or groom decides against marrying each other. It is very much like a slap in the face. In fact it is so serious that if a bride decides not to marry she is put to her own death and if not she will surely know the shame she has put on her family. In the years to come, it’s to be hoped that a similar situation as regards interracial marriage will occur so that people have a right to marry the right person for them, regardless of which race they are from. Marriage should be something that is private between two individuals, and not something to be dictated by society or cultural groups. Was the marriage proposal given in a traditional manner down on one knee, looking up in the shining surprised eyes of the bride to be? Or was it given as a spur of the moment gesture after a good night out? Was it delivered with romantic words either from the man’s heart, or remembered from a love poem?