Why you ask then ? <| sep |> Is there a difference between couple and partner to you ? I feel like discussing a shared future is a couple thing rather than a partner thing , and I feel as though my partner and I became a couple before we became partners . As a couple , we discussed a shared future . As partners , we ' ve actually implemented that shared futureI ' d say we became partners when we agreed to move in together . That ' s when we implicitly , by deciding to sign a lease together stated responsibility to shoulder the other ' s potential financial burdens it ' s when I started listing him instead of my mom as my emergency contact it ' s when we committed to being a part of each other ' s future plans rather than just saying we would be .