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AIBU?

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Marriage

33 replies

Spacemoonpf · 19/11/2025 14:34

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to ask something that’s been on my mind. Is it ever truly possible to be completely happy in a marriage — I mean a marriage where there’s no flirting to a point of exchanging texts, cheating, secrecy, or any of that? A relationship where you never have to worry about what your husband is doing on his phone, where everything feels open and transparent?

I’m asking because growing up, and even now as a married woman, I’ve never really seen an example of a marriage that feels genuinely safe, honest, and free from that kind of stress. It might be down to the culture I come from -African culture- we are encouraged to stay in a marriage even if it’s not healthy and personally that’s not something I want, but I’m curious to hear from others: does a marriage like that actually exist? And can someone truly be happy in it?

Is it unreasonable to want that kind of marriage and be truly happy?

OP posts:
ShopTutter · 19/11/2025 14:55

SnappyOchre · 19/11/2025 14:50

I can't comment on whether it's cultural or not, but what you're describing ("no flirting to a point of exchanging texts, cheating, secrecy, or any of that") is what I would consider a very normal marriage.

The only secrets I have from my husband are what I do in the bathroom and what I spend on his birthday present. I'm confident that the only secret he has from me is what he spend on my present (because I know far more than I would like about what he does in the bathroom).

Ditto.

But me and DH don't keep bathroom habits secret - the door's always open and we generally give commentary on notable happenings 😂

Abracadabrador · 19/11/2025 14:54

Of course, it's just a bare minimum thing.
There's no happiness with a cheater or general shit quality man though.

AcropolisNow · 19/11/2025 14:53

Good, but difficult question.
My parents were married for 60 years and had a really friendship/partnership marriage, where they both supported one another, took decisions together etc. etc.
I have numerous friends, who have been married for over 40 years, again, friends, equal partners etc. etc.
You need to find someone you get along with and also fancy and the feeling has to be mutual. Not so easy these days.
Joint thoughts on things like careers and children.

SnappyOchre · 19/11/2025 14:50

I can't comment on whether it's cultural or not, but what you're describing ("no flirting to a point of exchanging texts, cheating, secrecy, or any of that") is what I would consider a very normal marriage.

The only secrets I have from my husband are what I do in the bathroom and what I spend on his birthday present. I'm confident that the only secret he has from me is what he spend on my present (because I know far more than I would like about what he does in the bathroom).

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 19/11/2025 14:44

Yes it’s possible and what everyone should strive for in a marriage. My son borrows my phone every other night for a dog walk and I used my husbands phone in that time last night, there was no worries about ‘finding’ stuff because we are completely upfront and honest with each other. I wouldn’t have it any other way

noidea69 · 19/11/2025 14:42

😂😂😂

TheRolyPolyByrd · 19/11/2025 14:40

Yes. Mine is like that.

  1. I chose the right man - one who wanted to live the same way as me.
  2. We discussed everything practical before we married. Finances, chores, religion, parenting style should we have children, our boundaries when it comes to cheating (does porn count, does staring at someone else count etc).
  3. Because the man I chose was completely honest (I had never seen or heard of him lying even to someone he disliked or to get himself out of bother) I knew that meant what he said about everything in point 2.
TriciaMcMillan · 19/11/2025 14:40

Of course that's possible. That's what a healthy relationship should be. It's certainly what mine is and many of my friends have. Seems like a bare minimum really to trust your partner and not have to worry about cheating and deceit.

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