@LovelyGorilla: In a relationship, there's rules as to what you can do, who can know, and how well you can know them. There are limits set upon you and you must give up other people in your life and either break off friendships or water them down significantly in order to make your boyfriend/girlfriend the most important person in your life.
Relationships certainly take work, but they can be quite rewarding given you're with a good person. Yes, there are sacrifices, but the good often outweighs the bad. If it doesn't, then you're in the wrong relationship.