why not propose - and think up a way to include your reasons in the proposal, spoken romantically, of course.

and don't overlook those legal reasons - if he goes to the hospital, you may not be able to get in to see him unless you have legal status and vice versa. not to mention if there are decisions to be made in that hospital, you must have legal recognition in order to make them for your partner. that was a big reason why arie and i got married after all these years.