What really matters in a relationship

[Rose65]

The physical or the emotional connection?

I was reading about Clint Eastwood and his career and chequered personal life. Through that I got to reading about his one-time lover Sondra Locke.
She is interesting, especially as she maintained a marriage for over 50 years to a man who she knew was homosexual and they never consummated it. She said she rated sex as the least important part of a relationship, instead valuing a deep emotional connection most.

So what aspect do you value most, that keeps you in a relationship?

 

[Pepper]

Trust

 

[Paco Dennis]

Appreciation

 

[Pepper]

Appreciation

Whenever I put food in front of him my husband would say "Looks Delicious (his nickname for me)" I can still hear his voice saying that. He meant it.

 

[Chet]

Being able to give and take, tolerance, and keeping demands few.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Trust

I agree that trust is the most important thing in a relationship. Of course there are other very important things but without trust, there’s no real meaningful relationship.

 

[Timewise 60+]

Friendship and Trust! Helps if the sexual attraction is still there...we are in our 53 year together.

 

[hollydolly]

Whaat really matters ?... if one partner doesn't believe in sharing what's in their pants...with someone outside of the marriage

 

[Timewise 60+]

Holly... you have such a gentle way of expressing your feelings on this issue.....

You made me laugh! Although, the reality of this is not really funny...

 

[bobcat]

Whaat really matters ?... if one partner doesn't believe in sharing what's in their pants...with someone outside of the marriage

Wallet, keys, pocket knife, lint, ????

 

[Lethe200]

It's a toss-up for me as to trust/respect. You can't have one without the other, as the song goes......

 

[Leann]

The physical or the emotional connection?

I was reading about Clint Eastwood and his career and chequered personal life. Through that I got to reading about his one-time lover Sondra Locke.
She is interesting, especially as she maintained a marriage for over 50 years to a man who she knew was homosexual and they never consummated it. She said she rated sex as the least important part of a relationship, instead valuing a deep emotional connection most.

So what aspect do you value most, that keeps you in a relationship?

But she had multiple relationships with other men while married.

 

[JustDave]

What really matters varies from one person to another, and usually involves an array of needs. At my age, I'm still not sure how to prioritize the array. Maybe I'm over thinking this, but the first thing that pops into my mind is love. You can define that however you want, and I'm not sure you have to explain it. When asked 'why do you love me?' how much does that matter?

 

[horseless carriage]

On a glorious May Day in 1968, I stood at an altar and said:
"I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, until death do us part. I will love and honour you all the days of my life."
Those were not empty words, it was a solemn vow. A vow that has kept us together for 55 years.

 

[Rose65]

But she had multiple relationships with other men while married.

Apparently yes, but remained married only to the one, then left her money to him. Very intriguing really.

 

[hearlady]

I think trust is the biggest one but all answers stated are true.

 

[Gary O']

Whaat really matters ?... if one partner doesn't believe in sharing what's in their pants...with someone outside of the marriage

Wallet, keys, pocket knife, lint, ????

Too too funny!

Another old poster of mine comes to mind;

 

[Been There]

I’m going with Aretha Franklin on this one———R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

 

[palides2021]

I believe that Love is the most important thing to have in a relationship, because it comes from the heart and is all-encompassing and forgiving. It is the glue that keeps a couple together. Those in Love can put up with a lot of stuff that might be irritating to others (people in love overlook the faults of their loved ones).

On a close second is respect (that is most important when love is missing and being civil (respect) keeps the marriage going).
On a close third is trust (that has to be earned over time).

 

[Murrmurr]

The emotional connection.

For me, that includes your general philosophy, your ethics, your temperament, and how you express affection.

 

[Llynn]

Distance. 500 miles is just about right.

 

[Tish]

For me, it's honesty, friendship, and most importantly freedom. ( I don't do clingy)

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I think it's if your partner can satisfy your needs, whatever they are.

 

[StarSong]

I agree that trust is the foundation. Without trust and honesty, there is nothing.

 

[Jackie23]

Patience