"Growing apart" is not something that _happens_ to an intimate relationship such as a marriage, it is the natural consequence of the priorities of the two indiv

"Growing apart" is not something that _happens_ to an intimate relationship such as a marriage, it is the natural consequence of the priorities of the two individuals involved. To stay intimate with another requires an enormous amount of investment of both parties. So yes, growing apart does take place, but it is the effect not the cause.