If you're single, how many people have a relationship you are genuinely envious of?

One of my ex boyfriends had parents where you just knew they were still very much in love and they also made a great team. Kind, considerate of each other, supportive, both pitching in, same goals and ideas- it just worked. I've always admired that.

I know other couples who are definitely happily married but they top it, they're what I aim for in my own marriage. I wanted different things in life to their son so I split up with him, but it wasn't because I didn't love him, he is fantastic and if he is coupled up, I hope he's in a similar relationship and extremely happy.

Meh. I'm a dumpy medium-size height thing.

*hate

I don't know but I'd had to be referred to as a dumpy little thing...

No I don’t know any relationships where I think it looks like they’re hugely in love still. Only on tv but then they’re always part of a plot twist which shows it’s all a sham!

I'll never understand why single people go to such lengths to vocalise and justify their 'singledom.' They remind me of vegans. 😂

IMO, life is so much better when you have someone to share it with: laughing together, crying together, etc.

I do think some women need to work on their self esteem more instead of settling for partners, that they spend all the time moaning about. You only go around once, so try and have the best experience. Most people DO have the volition to change their lives - or as they say, if you can't change the situation, you can change your attitude to it.

The vast majority, either one of them is not especially happy in the relationship but is scared to alter the status quo and/or I really wouldn't put up with the guy. The only one that seems 100% happy on both their parts is an open relationship 😂

I can think of three, all second marriages where they were older when they got together, children grown, and didn't have children together. They seemed surprised and happy to have found someone and to be at a stage of life where they could relax and enjoy doing things together, without being knee-deep in child-rearing.

As a long-term single person whose child is nearly grown, I do wonder if I should be looking for someone like this. I like the idea, but I'm determined not to be dragged back into domesticity just when I'm nearly free.

Good question OP.

In my family, who obviously I know better than other people, no-one. One half of each partnership, in all cases, has caused serious problems or major unhappiness to the other half at some point.

Of my friends, two are being outrageously financially abused and will leave as soon as their children fly the nest. Another rubs along ok with her husband but they seem to tolerate each other rather than actively enjoy each other's company. They've been married 25 years so perhaps that is the best one can hope for. Others are in the early stages of relationships, having already divorced.

At work, there is one colleague who seems genuinely besotted with his wife and his life with her. I don't know her view of things. Hopefully, she is as happy. Another female colleague is being financially abused and two others are single mums.

As a single person, I don't look for money or to be provided for. I want an equal partnership. Someone who does half the chores without having to be nagged, just because he can see they need doing. Someone with whom i can work as a team. And someone who cares if I am happy rather than just about himself. I have not met a man like that.

I have never been short of 'applicants' but they always have an agenda which involves taking a lot more than they contribute.

I have given up looking, and am enjoying life with my dc.

YABVVU to call your friend a 'dumpy little thing'.

Not envious of any. I was of 2 couples I knew through my 20s but both have since broken up with pretty jaw dropping reasons. Now I don't assume anyone is really in a happy couple.

How is it any more smug than the OP's post?

I know of two,and they are totally different but work.
The first (38 years)they are equal in all ways and always have been. They have their own friends, own holidays but are each others rock and a really strong team.they love and respect each other. This is nearer to what I would consider a relationship I could tolerate.

The other is more traditional,(42 years ) she has never worked, is very motherly and does everything for her husband and 3 boys.
He worships the ground she walks on, takes her on regular dates, treats her like a queen. His eyes literally twinkle when he looks at her, hes utterly besotted with her.

It's lovely to see a couple still so enamoured with each other after all that time, but I'm not envious. The devoted mother role is not something I would want

Yes. Why not. I think that would be interesting.

im a single parent and I’m happily single. I like my own space. I might compromise for the right relationship but not just for the sake of being in any relationship. some people are suited to being single.

That said, I think what op is talking about is people who are in relationships for the sake of being in a relationship. They’ve settled for someone they would get rid of in a heartbeat if someone better came along. Also some women (and some men too - the famous cocklodger) get into and stay in relationships for economic reasons.

i definitely have observed quite a few couples that have settled. My parents were very unhappily married so I am particularly sensitive to unhappy relationships and keen not to make the same mistake.

I hope the happily married couple you work with don’t consider you a friend. I would be very hurt if a friend described me to others the way you have done with this couple.

😆😆😆

This. Being single and celibate is definitely empowering for me after 2 failed marriages. The longer I am single the more I love it!

From my experience, couples in the same profession make good teams. There is a level of understanding and respect for each other I haven’t seen in other couples. Because the other ‘gets it’. And yes, I’ve met quite a few, and was in one of those relationships myself. There’s equality and understanding and familiarity and bonding and respect and pride.

Smug much?

But why should the goal be to find someone and accept behaviours that they don't appreciate when they don't need to? I think the whole point is to do what makes you happy and for a lot of us being single is what makes us happy and it's not because we are so rigid that we won't take a little bit of crap every now and again that we are single. It's because we are already fulfilled and if a man turns up he needs to add to our lives, not make it slightly worse, even if it is just a tiny, tiny bit worse.

I absolutely love being single! I love being celibate too. It's so empowering as a woman. I don't envy any couples at all. Genuinely. I struggle financially as a single woman on a low income. Life's definitely more expensive alone. But psychologically, unless you're in an amazing relationship, I think singleness is better for many women. Of course, many happy women in relationships too, and that's great. Neither is better or worse. If you're happy and not harming anyone, that's a successful life. Relationship status is secondary.

None. I haven’t met a woman yet who doesn’t complain about their husband.