I think the general answer here is that some people don't treat relationships and marriage as something else to check off at the appropriate time. My wife and I shared the same values, loved each other very much, and just "went with our guts" and started a life together. We've now had two kids, have moved thousands of miles, lived in many places and worked many different jobs, and just celebrated our 25th anniversary this year.

Life can be very interesting and fulfilling, if you let it be that way. It doesn't always have to be 1), then 2), then 3)...