Corri ... I've learned that "how" a bf or gf while dating should act varies from culture to culture, country to country, region to region and person to person.
I'm curious ... maybe you've already said it and I simply missed it .... what is a list of the do's and don'ts that you, an independent woman in the dating world and at this point NOT a wife, would expect of yourself and of your partner?
As in...
A gf does
have her own finances
Gifts should only be to her, not to her kids/extended family and should not cost above x $ .
maintain her own residence
etc.
What would your list be? Which part of your "code" are you currently not adhering to, and why?