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My wife and I recently took a trip together involving hours of driving throughout western Europe. We were glad to find we enjoyed just being together, even at t

My wife and I recently took a trip together involving hours of driving throughout western Europe. We were glad to find we enjoyed just being together, even at the end of the trip. I think it's important to keep building that relationship (courting) throughout the working years, not just to avoid hitting retirement and thinking, "What am I going to do with this person for the rest of my life?" but also just to enjoy all the years along the way! You wanted to be together enough to get married - isn't it worth investing time and effort to keep enhancing that, rather than just letting it wither?

jasonkostempski 9y ago
"We were glad to find we enjoyed just being together" Currently. Feelings towards people change constantly. They can hit extreme levels on either side at any moment.
- kbutler 9y ago
  Yes, but we are 20+ years in, and excited to continue... Seems like a house - if you don't do maintenance, it gradually deteriorates until it becomes unlivable, but with continual maintenance and improvements, it can last forever...
  - jasonkostempski 9y ago
    Sometimes. And sometimes it's better to walk away from the mortgage and file for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, there's no way to predict which choice is right. I think "The Money Pit" has some solid guidance here but I haven't watched it in many years.
    - pdimitar 9y ago
      You are right. We can never truly know from the start, especially having in mind that we grow and change all the time as well. I've had a failed relationship which lasted 8 years and I know the struggle and the bitterness. I have however confirmed the old cliche that love can bloom any time at any place as long as one is with an open mind and open heart and doesn't hold grudges to the world at large.
  - pdimitar 9y ago
    Thank you for articulating my exact thoughts. I also feel maintaining the relationship is extremely important. We the people are instinctive beings and some of us have very curious character flaws. If we let things to entropy, no relationship can hope to survive. No exceptions. As I shared in another comment in this sub-thread, I found that being honest (but not brutal; give your opinion and feelings openly but caring for the other person's feelings!) and never going to bed angry with each other have not only prevented the relationship from rotting away, but also improved it by a lot.

jasonkostempski 9y ago

"We were glad to find we enjoyed just being together" Currently. Feelings towards people change constantly. They can hit extreme levels on either side at any moment.

kbutler 9y ago
Yes, but we are 20+ years in, and excited to continue... Seems like a house - if you don't do maintenance, it gradually deteriorates until it becomes unlivable, but with continual maintenance and improvements, it can last forever...
- jasonkostempski 9y ago
  Sometimes. And sometimes it's better to walk away from the mortgage and file for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, there's no way to predict which choice is right. I think "The Money Pit" has some solid guidance here but I haven't watched it in many years.
  - pdimitar 9y ago
    You are right. We can never truly know from the start, especially having in mind that we grow and change all the time as well. I've had a failed relationship which lasted 8 years and I know the struggle and the bitterness. I have however confirmed the old cliche that love can bloom any time at any place as long as one is with an open mind and open heart and doesn't hold grudges to the world at large.
- pdimitar 9y ago
  Thank you for articulating my exact thoughts. I also feel maintaining the relationship is extremely important. We the people are instinctive beings and some of us have very curious character flaws. If we let things to entropy, no relationship can hope to survive. No exceptions. As I shared in another comment in this sub-thread, I found that being honest (but not brutal; give your opinion and feelings openly but caring for the other person's feelings!) and never going to bed angry with each other have not only prevented the relationship from rotting away, but also improved it by a lot.