So, my boyfriend and I have been practically dating ever since the sixth grade and we are soon to be juniors in high school. We broke up at the end of 8th grade because he was scared of making the same mistakes that his father did. Which were marrying his high school sweet-heart when he entered college and soon got a divorce because he hated her.
My boyfriend is still afraid of that happening. But I see our relationship heading in a different way. Instead of breaking up at the end of high school I see us dating in college, maybe getting engaged at the end of high school. I don't know, just not breaking up at least.
All of our friends are convinced that we are going to get married and call us husband and wife. It hurts every time they do that because I know how my boyfriend thinks and it just makes me want to cry knowing that in his mind everything will just end between us.
I even try to avoid the topic of the -- somewhat -- near future, but my boyfriend doesn't and it hurts when I'm not in his future mindset as his girlfriend, just his friend.
I want to tell them all to stop talking about it, but I also want to try and show him that we won't make the same mistake that his father did.
What should I do?

>>1 Well, seeing your wording about this, you're practically forcing him to make the same mistake his father did....

My advice, take it slow, and tell him that he doesn't need to make any promises with you at all.

Rule of thumb, Don't consider marriage before having already moved in together. (and don't put too much pressure on doing that either)

I'm not trying to force him to do anything. I just don't want him to rule out the possibility is all.
Sorry I was writing that late at night, and I guess I wasn't too clear about it.

>>4 Then talk to him about your worries.
It should be easier to let him know like this, then doing other, more round-about things to get him to know.

You've been with him for a long time, you guys can have long and serious conversations together, right?

>>5 We can have long serious conversations, and do so somewhat frequently. I'm just a person that doesn't like to open up much and I get uncomfortable when I do.

>>6 Well, you both will get uncomfortable if you do talk to him about this.
Either live in discomfort, or create it yourself.

I can see where your boyfriend would get worried. I would think it hurt him to see two people he really loves to separate like that. But I also understand that you see your relationship going even further. And that's great, but since this is something that will effected BOTH of you, you should confront your boyfriend and really talk it over. You guys are still young but the fact that you've been dating this long goes to show that you guys really love each other, and your boyfriends parents situation should seem like an example you guys don't want to follow if he really doesn't want to end up like that.
Hope if helps. :)