Dialogue: Could it be I still believe in fairyland?

Marriage - I have to admit I've given it some thought. Not that I'd normally confess to wanting to do it myself, but the whole business has crossed my mind, especially after a few "announcements" in my circle lately.

I guess it is one of society's great rites of passage, and a truly good marriage is something others delight in. Also, studies have proved that living in a committed partnership is good for mental and physical health, particularly for men.

But do you have to be married to reap the benefits or is it just that society, to some degree, still expects a piece of paper to ratify things?

In the past 20 years the need to pair up has been questioned, the result being that singles are becoming far more prevalent across the board. The face of relationships is changing and it's more acceptable for people to choose to live alone.

Gone are the days of Edith Wharton's book The House of Mirth in which one character, rightly for the time, observes: "Marriage is a vocation, what we're all brought up for. A girl must, a man if he chooses."

I remember once at intermediate school in social studies we had to make a list of all the qualities we would like in a life partner because, of course, we were all supposed to want one.

Most of the lists were long and read like a description of a movie star crossed with a saint. We were being conditioned to crave the fairytale while at the same time being shown that our hopes were unattainably high.

Perhaps, then, I secretly harbour an urge to marry because I have a wonderful role model in my parents. They've been together as long as I can remember and appear to still be in love.

But, is that a good enough reason for me to say "I do," especially when society is coming to favour singles more and more. Women are often choosing to live alone, and more often have the earning capacity to do so.

Socially, now that the concept of "the shelf" has almost died, there's barely any stigma attached to being left on it.

Do I still fancy the idea of a husband because I was brought up in the 1970s and taught by women who were conditioned in the 40s, 50s and 60s? Are people getting hitched still for money, then, or immigration benefits?

Is it the fear of loneliness or, that old chestnut, somebody's got themselves knocked up? Although children seem as likely to be born out of as in wedlock these days, and men are barely required for procreation anyway.

I wonder what the prognosis is for a growing, single society where men and women have decided they can still be fulfilled and complete without being one half of a couple?

In real estate, literature, travel and entertainment we will see the commercial focus in the future move strongly from domesticity to indulgence; sales of bread in half-loaves will soar.

Oddly, one of the main reasons I broke up with my last boyfriend was he thought two people couldn't spend their lives in one single relationship. This made it difficult to fabricate my fantasy of happy ever after with him but, post-relationship, his point of view has started to make more sense.

Finally, thanks to the last ex, some contemplation and a bit of quality single time, I think I'm cured of my archaic urge to get married.

I can be successful as single entity. In fact, you have to be happy as a one before even contemplating becoming a two.

Also, observing some of my friends get married, I have to wonder why people would put themselves through such an ordeal; what a lot of hoo ha, what a palaver, not to mention the expense.

Funny, isn't it? A week ago I was in Paris indulging in what can only be described as a whirlwind courtship.

There at about 3 am on Pont Neuf near Notre Dame, a man asked me to marry him.

He possesses all the attributes I'd listed when I was 12 - and a few I hadn't even thought up. I was pretty stunned though. There I was, in the face of impending groom, and what did I say?

Actually, it didn't take long to find an answer.

I think some people are still marrying for love.