[caphair]

aaa

 

[raw jess]

I think some people can be great people but not be meant for each other, and have an amicable split up. You can date, you can have fun. When the time comes and it needs to end, then end it and move onto the next one. It's really not as complicated as people make it. People change, their goals change, you take it for what it was worth and move on. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
I'm pretty cut and dried and simplistic when it comes to people.

 

[GhostUser]

i just went through something similiar. i have no regrets, and i'd do it all over again when i want companionship again. i went into the relationship knowing that it could end, and it ended after 2 years. i count that as a successful relationship. we were in love, in body and soul, and i can close my eyes and still feel it all over again. however, the time had come to move on. i'm not ready to have a family right now, and neither is she, and she wanted to do some things by herself. that's all there was to it. it doesn't mean that it wasn't worth it.

 

[caphair]

aaa

 

[Dirty Martini]

I'd have to say that success in a relationship is built on open communication, respect for your partner, and respect for yourself.

 

[caphair]

aaaa

 

[Dirty Martini]

Well maybe what you're trying to justify is not really prioritizing a relationship in your life right now.<br><br><br><br>
For some reason, our culture really presses people in their 20s to hurry up & marry & have kids & buy a house... and if you aren't in one of those stages when you're in your 20s, you're somehow inadequate or lacking.<br><br><br><br>
In hindsight, it seems that it's our 20s where it's most important NOT to make such important life decisions.... but to allow yourself the time & liberty to figure out what you want out of yourself, out of your career, and out of your future.

 

[bethanie]

well said oregonamy.<br><br><br><br>
B

 

[bstutzma]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>OregonAmy</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I'd have to say that success in a relationship is built on open communication, respect for your partner, and respect for yourself.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Agreed.<br><br><br><br>
Relationships aren't about just companionship. Its about trust, and wanting to share life with someone.<br><br><br><br>
My husband and I met in college. We were engaged while he was in law school, and married the year after he graduated. I supported him the very best I could - I understood that sometimes, doing that meant letting him have a lot of time for studying, and not a lot of time for me. In every relationship there are periods of give and take - I gave a lot in that time, and never regretted a moment of it.<br><br><br><br>
You mentioned three things - law school, experiencing life, and companionship.<br><br><br><br>
I think its love when "experiencing life", and "companionship", are the same.

 

[asp3]

Why did the previous relationships end? Did you end them or did they end them?<br><br><br><br>
As people have said even if two people love each other, if their goals are incompatible then the romantic relationship will likely end.<br><br><br><br>
Since many people enter relationships with the ultimate goal of getting married (usually within a timeframe of their choice) maybe you should consider trying to find an alternative relationship. Get an idea of what you want out of a relationship, the level of committment you want from the other person and the level of togetherness (amount of time you want to spend together) you want and other things. Then when you meet someone and know you want to get into a relationship let them know what you want out if it. If they don't want the same thing, hopefully they'll let you know and you can move the relationship to friendship mode before either of you gets too emotionally involved with the other.<br><br><br><br>
You might also find out what you're really looking for now is a friend with benefits as opposed to a relationship. That's happening a lot more these days and maybe that would work well for you.