There are processes that are part of the game. For whatever reason you have to go through what the developers have decreed those are. The goals are what the game is. Two sims who are strangers and become acquaintances, friends , good friend, best friends, start to be romantic, budding romance, dating and then partners. Just like in real life it takes time and committment, perhaps thats what they are trying to show. So no you are not going to be able to skip the goals if you want whats at the end of the goals......engagement, marriage etc. best get down to it.