A good friend of mine is doing the second choice. They've been together forever, but they have no interest in getting married or having kids. The funny part is she almost broke up with him in the beginning because he proposed. He thought he was doing the right thing. They figured it out and have been good since.The way I see it, you do 1 of 2 things.
1. FULLY commit and marry. Joint accounts, joint taxes, kids - large family.. the whole nine.
OR
2. Dont marry. Remain independent people who simply romantically commit to each other. No kids. You do you when applicable, she do she when applicable. You keep your shit, she keeps hers.