It must be nice to have someone to share things with...

[Scarlett5]

....and the regular sex can't be bad either lol.

 

I'm 27, I've never had a long term relationship...I've valued my single time though and have truly gotten to know myself, which has enabled me to grow into a confident and independent woman. I've learned a lot about myself in terms of relationships lately and I'm so excited to finally meet a man to share my life with. The thought of leaving my single life behind used to scare me, but now I'm so ready for the next stage of my life. It's a strange feeling, but a good one.

 

So, I'm just wondering what you guys think are the best things about having a long term partner, and the toughest things? In my head I can't see past the honeymoon stage, but I'm also very realistic and know that relationships are hard work and learning to compromise can be tough.

 

Thanks for reading

[River Rain]

I think the best part is knowing you can count on someone, knowing you have a friend and companion who will be there for you. The love, sex, intimacy and compatibility...all the good stuff is the best feeling.

 

The worst part is how each person deals with conflict differently, and if the conflict can't seem to be resolved, the pain that goes along with that.

[Scarlett5]

Very true, and I have thought about that. The reality of being in a relationship must be different though...especially after said honeymoon period is over? When familiarity and 'real life' come into play. I think one thing I have learned about life in general is not to get stuck in a rut and let things get dull for too long...Change is good. I'll try my best to do the same in my relationships.

[Silly_Girl]

For me I value there being one person who's ALWAYS 'got my back'. And the constant, continuing element. I can talk to friends when my boss is being a jerk or my mum is being a miserable biatch again, and it's all good, but a partner will know the context, and why/how this week is worse than last week, because they're - to a greater/lesser degree - always updated. So if you're with someone whose advice you appreciate and respect it's great to communicate with them on that stuff.

 

There's the other (obvious?) things, like affectionate and sex and companionship but I think the above is a key thing for me.