I've allowed my partner to refer to me as girlfriend to make discussion with others easier. I don't love it, it doesn't sound like a longterm adult relationship, but I recognize it's easier to say "my wife and my girlfriend".
and both of us go to family Christmas, though not everyone needs to know relationship status.
... you're absolutely right about the scheduling thing though.
my cat loses it if she wakes up and can't see me. I live in a studio. there aren't a lot of "out of sight" options. at one point, there was just a screen between me, in my computer chair, and her, on the bed. we still did the whole call and response.
she doesn't look for me, she just starts yelling until I respond.