COMMON LAW

I have been with my spouse for 7 years this June. Longer than some marriages ( sorry Brittney spears). The only down side to a common law marriage with children is the lack of the same Last name. I feel left out a lot. Things as simple as family cookie jars that I cant order. Family labels on homemade wine . those cute little family trees you see in peoples kitchens . I cant buy those as our house hold has 2 last names . Mine and everyone else's. Seeing as this seems to be the only down fall of common law relationship so far(besides a beautiful ring and wedding pictures on the wall) I never really let it get to me ,that is until..... My 5 year old son is going around the house asking everyone's full names .everyone has 3 names, first, middle, and last. Except me . He seemed to be waiting for me to say Alexander at the end of my name as well. This confused him into tears. After explaining that children take the name of their father, and because mom and dad were not married I am the only one who has a different one , he decided he wanted a different last name to be different as well.....He wanted his last name to be Fast . Finally !! I will be related to a super hero! He is super fast for a 5 year old .All this talk about last names got me really thinking ,especially as I will be 28 in April with 3 kids. Every one I know is married or engaged . we did it all backwards. House, kid, more kids another house , another car, one more kid. still no marriage. I consider myself successful. I am a Massage therapist, esthetician ,business administration, and an accounting technician turned SAHM(stay at home mom). I am supported by my partner ,we support each other ,so really the rest doesn't matter .or does it? Does being married really change the dynamics of a family or does it just change a last name ? from a curious common law SAHM