Changes? Really?

The guys I work with (and being in my industry there are quite a few) all tell me the same thing.
"Wow, is my life gonna change when we get married!" I heard the horror stories all the time. Men who after they got married felt completely emasculated. They can't play sports. They can't go out with the guys. Nagging mother-in-laws. Pink throw pillows taking over their couch. TiVo's perpetually filled with soap operas. Just about every married guy I know does this and its baffling to me.

Does a guys' life really change so drastically that they become jaded shadows of their younger selves? Will I come back from Bayfield to find my plasma now painted pink, my speakers replaced with potted plants, condo littered with frilly throw pillows? Should I start selling all my sporting gear?

Maybe its just me being naive and still in young and optimistic, but I don't get it. I mean I know things will change when Rachelle and I get married, but I don't see the changes as being so outwardly negative.

Living together? Already doing it, basically no problem. We have similar tasted in decorating and where we don't, I trust her enough to not question her decisions. In return, she knows better then to question any piece of electronics in the house.

Pressure of supporting more then yourself? Also, check. During Rachelle's post auctioneering days who do you think was buying the groceries? I'm lucky enough to have a pretty good job, though I can see where extended periods of lone income can be stressful, but all that's in the past and Rachelle is now gainfully employed, so if anything getting married is only gonna improve things!!

Shared accounts? Ha! I think we'll all agree that if anyone is a threat to clear out our account because of frivolous spending, its more likely to be me. I've giving her control of that. Believe me its for the best and I'm not worried about it at all.

Social lockdown? Maybe its the guys I choose to hang out with or her unquestioned trust upon me but that's never been an issue. She knows when I go out with the guys we're not chasing tail or contemplating felonious acts. And the girls...well while I admit that Jackie has been known to get me into a bit of trouble, those days are way behind us. Not to mention Tony does a good job of tempering any nefarious intent. Besides, its not like I'm gonna stop her from going out with the girls. Frankly I relish these nights. The more girl nights the merrier!! It just means I can play video games on the couch with a beer with no threat of the phrase "I NEED ATTENTION!!!" being uttered (though it may get barked).

No sports? Who does that (other then my mom)? I play sports and Rachelle dances. This is our relationship. I would never dream of telling Rachelle she can't dance because I know how much she loves it. Conversely she feels the same way about me and sports. While I know there's a bit of a concern with me doing some serious physical harm to myself, as long as I have legs, arms, and the ability to run quickly I'm going to be doing that.

So what changes? Why are men so jaded about marriage? I wonder if they're just saying these things because of some societal mores that says that how they should feel and whether or not I'll be sharing these stories in a few years.

Something tells me I doubt it....