How do you define happiness and beauty in your relationship?

I'm always curious about what makes people tick. When you look at your relationship not just your partner but what defines that relationship.

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JustNik · 51-55, F

Hm. My relationship is not one for the storybooks as there are a lot of walls here that have never been demolished and no one ever wishes for, but there is still happiness. We allow each other the space to be exactly who we are and make no demands. Our level of comfort with each other is tenuous, so we remain courteous and there is less taking each other for granted. And because those walls are there and always palpable, the moments one is scaled and we come together are kind of like new love because we never moved past that. Those times are beautiful. Somewhere underneath all the dysfunction is a basic appreciation which has allowed us to stay and love the things we love from our respective sides of the wall. The nature of this relationship has made me a better, more resilient person. Time weaves a tapestry, and sometimes it takes a while to see the beauty of the image.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@JustNik I appreciate reading your posts about your marriage. There is a lot of wisdom to be found in your accounts of making your peace with a world that is not a fairy tale.

JustNik · 51-55, F

@DrWatson well thank you. 🤗 I never expect it makes any sense to anyone else so it’s nice to hear there’s some good there somewhere. 🙂

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@JustNik My wife suffers from mental illness. She has been hospitalized twice. So, while my marriage is probably quite different from yours, I can understand what you are talking about.