Thank you for the welcome Jackie.
It seems that I am looking for a word with a certain "flavor", if you will. Husband/wife signifies a strong commitment, hopefully love and a legal tie. (Atleast these words signify that to me, others may disagree based on their own life experiences.) I seek a word that signifies committed bond and love without sounding business like as in "partner", formal as "consort", or transitory as in boy/girlfriend. "My beloved" is too personal in everyday conversation although perhaps in this day it wouldn't hurt to bring a bit of personal softness into the circles of our everyday lives. With no really appropriate word pinpointed, I have used his name. Yes, it does seem that folks work out the details themselves. Perhaps that is because there is a certain inflection in my voice, a look on my face or a feeling that I project when I say it. Perhaps I am searching for something that doesn't exist. Although I hope not. (By the way, his term for me which I find very endearing is "my sweetie.)