Cupid's Pulse Article: Matthew McConaughey Proposes to Longtime Girlfriend Camila AlvesCupid's Pulse Article: Matthew McConaughey Proposes to Longtime Girlfriend Camila Alves

Matthew McConaughey made sure his long-time girlfriend Camila Alves, had a very merry Christmas this year.  After being together for nearly five years, the couple is finally getting married.  McConaughey proposed to the Brazilian model on Christmas Day and announced the engagement on his WhoSay account.  “Just asked Camila to marry me…#Merry Christmas,” he wrote in a post accompanied by a picture of the 42-year-old actor kissing a smiling Alves, 29, in front of the Christmas tree.  The couple, who met in 2006, have two children together- Levi, three, and Vida, who turns two in January.  The actor previously gushed to People “[Alves] is the love of my life. Everything is right.”

What are some reasons to get married after you’ve already started a family together?

Cupid’s Advice:

Just because you and your partner may have already moved in together and/or have kids before getting married, doesn’t mean that your significant other is fine sticking with the boyfriend or girlfriend title.  Here are some reasons to tie the knot even after you’ve already jumped a few steps ahead.

1. Support: Some people may think that your goals or dreams are figments of your imagination, but when you have someone who believes in you and is your biggest cheerleader- that’s marriage material right there.  Finding someone who supports you is hard to come by.

2. Create a foundation: Kids tend to model after their parents and when they come from a strong, loving and committed family unit, it helps provide them with the best opportunity for success in their own love lives when they get older.

3.  Enjoying life: There’s nothing more enjoyable than marrying your partner or best friend.  It’s nice to have someone with whom you can grow and share intimate experience with together.

Is marriage important once you start a family with someone?  Tell us your thoughts below.