I went from a futon to a mattress when Pat & I got serious, um, 5 or 6 years ago or so (we've been together 7+ years) and I felt a very similar reluctance.

Actually, first Pat went to a mattress from a waterbed, for ease of two people. He got a really excellent mattress and soon I was spoiled by sleeping on it! So I went out & got a mattress for my bed too.

I think futons are something youthful, something reflective of the easy & cheap way in which we used to live, during our college years and right after. Moving a futon is infinitely easier than moving a mattress. Same with futon beds vs. regular beds.

I dunno about you, but a new mattress - a regular mattress - was BLISS. Even though I'd previously upgraded my futon to a cotton-covered foam core with this super splufty sueded cotton cover, it had nothing on a real mattress. And, I'm older, so a mattress soothes my aches and pains better.

I think I associate my futons with sleeping on the floor, being young and flexible, meeting new people, fooling around a lot, etc. I associate beds with adults.

This whole admitting and accepting my aging thing is a right pain in the ass.