9.5 years? If you've seen her at least a few times a month for 9 years straight, then that is more than most friendships. I don't think most people can say they see any of their friends that much over such a period of time.
I was going to ask you why you haven't married her yet. But then I saw:
and I fully understand. Smart man. Not all of us punters are this smart when it comes to such matters.