Since I do believe in M, what struck me about all of this was the simple reality of maintaining a long-term intimate companionship. I don't mean to cast this as "friends with benefits," but that is essentially what it boils down to, albeit with more of a commitment than the phrase suggests. That said, the alternative would end up with the same result - a series of friends with benefits. Or romantic lovers that stick around until the love fades.
I guess I'm firmly in the camp that wants to make a M work for long-term companionship. I know romantic love fades. I know the problems of living with another. But I also know the problems of being alone. Does that mean I'm not a whole person? That I want to share my life with someone?
lodo
I hope not, because if so then I'm a partial person too; I hope to share my life with someone. Maybe there are 2 different kinds of people: people like our WAS that have problems with committment and see marriage as a negative; and those like me, you, G, and Kat and others (everyone here?) that sees marriage as a good thing; one you stick with in good times and bad? Just because your W and my H left when things weren't good instead of working on them; doesn't mean that there aren't a lot of us that wouldn't leave a marriage. Plus, I love marriage! I think it's wonderful. I like just the simple things of holding hands and kissing and just being there you know? And my H wasn't even that nice!!! I think it would really be great if you had a faithful, committed partner also. (Of course, maybe I shouldn't announce this to guys on the first date, huh?) Karen
Karen