Y'all have heard that joke, right?

Q: What does a lesbian bring along on the second date?
A: A U-Haul and a check for first/last month's rent. (rimshot)

It's a terrible joke, really... it makes no sense. No self-respecting lesbian would rent a U-Haul. We're dykes... we all have at least a half-dozen softball/rugby buddies who own pick-up trucks... why would we throw money away renting a truck when we can accomplish the same task for the price of pizza and a few cases of beer??
It's a terrible joke, yes, but it's a cliche for a reason. Something about settling down, shopping at IKEA, and adopting homeless animals really appeals to women who are lesbionic. I dunno how it started. I dunno who wrote the rules. But(stereo)typically, lesbians are BIG on nesting. Swear.

True story:
I attended a housewarming party this weekend for my um...uh... huh. For my girlfriend... (Is that even the right word? We're not just dating, but we're not getting married, either, so... yeah). Yes, girlfriend, definitely... my girlfriend. Okay. What was I saying now? Her housewarming... right! So, it was a party to warm/bless her new place... not my place, not our place, her place... and it's a potluck (which is also a lesbian thing, but I'll save that for another blog). It was a nice party. Great food, pleasant conversation, stellar company. Many of the women in attendance were friends of mine, indeed, I consider them family... I love them, very much.

So, what's the problem, Kay? Sounds like you had a good time...
(I did, it was a lovely evening... oh! and there was this jalapeno jelly thing that was TO DIE FOR... but that's not the point! Stop distracting me)!

The problem is, throughout the evening, people were approaching me and asking me questions/making statements as if it were my home, too. Like it's a perfectly reasonable assumption that because Carol and I are a couple, we must be cohabitating. Even our Pastor threw my name into the mix during the blessing portion of the evening... and apparently, I flinched... visibly. But I didn't really make a fuss... it was a party, after all.
Then, the next morning, after church, I'm cornered by one of the more vocal members of our congregation, and the following exchange takes place:

SHE:   Great party, we had the BEST time!
ME:    Awesome! It was great to see ya.
SHE:   I'm so glad for the two of you. You both deserve to be happy.
ME:    Thanks, love. I am really happy.
SHE:   And your place is so cute! It's perfect for you guys...
ME:    Um... it's actually Carol's place. I don't live there...
SHE:   Oh, you're still moving?
ME:    Uh, no. We're, um... we're not living together.
SHE:   Oh! I thought you were together! Carol said...
ME:    We are together. We're just not living together.
SHE:   I don't understand, why wouldn't you want to be together? You said you're happy...
ME:    I am, I mean, we are... happy. Dude, we've been dating a little over a month...
SHE:   So this is just a fling? Does Carol know...
ME:    (BlinkBlink)
SHE:   She really likes you a lot, you know, and she's very vulnerable...
ME:    Oh wow, lookit the time...

Yes, pinkyswear, that really is what happened. She actually put me on the defensive and seemed offended that I haven't signed a lease. Mind you, I never said I was diametrically opposed to the idea, I simply stated the situation as it stands.

So, here's the thing, I have no problem with people who are into eachother shackin' up. If that's what they wanna do, excellent! I think it's super, I do. Saves me a mint on postage during the holidays... yay cohabitation! Whoot! However, I don't understand why it's not only presumed, but expected. And why does it seem a relationship is somehow less valid if you're not playing house and assuming eachother's debts? WTF is THAT about?