I don't get it

I'm a traditional person in some aspects; I believe if you get married, you should take your husbands name.  I believe you should never have children just because.  I believe you shouldn't get married because "it seems like fun".  I believe marriage is a sacred union between two people; gay, straight, bi, lesbian...that doesn't matter to me.  I also believe that you should never have to change your whole way of life or who you are because you married someone.  I've always viewed marriage as a partnership, each person there wanting the same things out of life.  For the longest time, I always changed things about who I was in order to make the other person happy.  It was part of the reason why I left my ex husband.  I realized that I wasn't being myself, and that he didn't make me happy. Being with Grant, I've never had to worry about that.  He's always accepted who I am and has never made me feel bad about it.  I've never felt that by being with him, I would lose everything that I had accomplished so far.  I was reading something on Facebook on marriage and someone said they didn't want to get married because "I could not have the life that I created for myself."  Now, I'm not 100% sure what she meant by that, but the first thing that popped into my head was that she would have to change her lifestyle.  But why?  I can't believe that if I had built an empire or anything, that Grant would make me stop it after we married...let me daydream about my own empire for a min.....ok done.  Anyway, I just don't understand that whole "I am woman, hear me roar...extreme style" way of thinking.  Being with someone shouldn't make you smaller or worth less or the need to give up your life, it should empower you and make you feel 10 feet tall and like you can rule the world.  Do I need a man to take care of me?  Hell no!  It is nice that once in a while he does.  But, one thing I've learned about myself is that I am a strong person, and if I had to, I could raise my girls by myself and do a damn good job.  I don't view Grant as my caretaker, I view him as my other half. Someone to share my life with, not give my life to.  If you marry someone, you should be standing by their side, not behind them or in front of them.  I believe marriage is being equal with your partner, and I'm really glad I found someone who feels the same!