Is anyone truly happy in a long term relationship?

[anon12345634552]

Just wondered what everyone's thoughts are on this. To those people who have been together 10-15 years for example, maybe a little less or a little longer. Do you still feel content with your partner, do you meet each other's needs? Or are you comfortable and settled and it's OK enough to not rock the boat, but doesn't tick every box for you anymore?

I guess I'm just genuinely wondering, past a certain point of living together and being together long term, no matter how things were in the beginning or how strong the relationship was or wasn't through the years.. is it inevitable that things change and you just accept it? Does anyone ever remain loved up on some level 'happily ever after'?

Been together 14 ish married for 11.

Had our fair share of ups & downs as many people have had, yes he can be an arse but at the end of the day he’s my arse and he’s been my rock through some of my most shitty times.

He does absolutely adore me and the kids, he’s a great dad. Our relationship has changed over time it’s not the frenzied all consuming shag fest it was at the start, now it’s more a comfortable mellow relationship, we do fight & bicker at times. Does he still annoy me? Yes he bloody does, do I annoy him? Quite probably but we make it work.

After reading some thread on here about other peoples husbands and partners I do count myself lucky.

I absolutely agree about the good fortune of both of us coming from very stable and functional homes with no history of divorce at all. It doesn’t mean we haven’t had our moments but I do think we have a confidence in our ability to communicate and negotiate plus similar ideas as to what we want.

Together 35 years each of us are one of four siblings, all very long term married and no split ups. I hope that doesn’t sound smug, I think we’re really lucky.

Yes been with DH 12 years and wouldn't be without him.

Yes I feel completely content with DH and we have a very happy relationship across all aspects. I wouldn’t change anything about him - he’s incredibly clever and intellectual but also grounded and very practical. He works very hard and takes incredibly good care of me. He’s kind, thoughtful, loving, still interested in me, wholly engaged in our relationship and never, ever takes me for granted. All of this is reciprocated by me to him, too, of course.

We laugh, talk, walk together every day, have sex a lot and snuggle up every night as we sleep. He’s 100% my perfect man and I still fancy him very much.

14 years together.

30 years + together, have hardly ever spent a night apart, and some mornings i wake up and i just think to myself, jesus would he ever just piss off.

Yes - together 22 years and I love him more now that when we first met. It’s not as exciting but it’s a deeper and more meaningful kind of love. He still makes me laugh every day and I can’t imagine life without him.

I am, with my DH 23 years and we are about to have our 4th dc on Thursday. He's an amazing Husband and Dad. We get in great, best friends. We laugh together, go on walks, go to the gym, out for meals. I genuinely love his company, its all just very easy. I also think he is absolutely gorgeous too.

I definitely love my oh. For the first five years it was amazing.But as time has gone on I've had periods where I've felt less close to him and then periods where we have been closer and everything in between. Sometimes life gets in way and that can make your relationship harder to work at.

Yes. Married almost 32 years. He'll do.

Been married 22 years. The negative part of the marriage vows have been very testing for us: in sickness and in health. For richer for poorer. For better or for worse. I am glad that we made those vows as we could never have known what was coming when we were in our blissful romantic early years as a couple. But we have had many happy times too. Our relationship has been strengthened in the fire

This is such a lovely thread ❤️ Been married 5 years nearly so not really qualified. But so far so good 🥳

Been together for 15 years. He's still alive and breathing so it's all quite good I love him
to bits, he's my best friend.

23 years, very much still in love. He is my best friend and I never want to be without him.

20 years together. It's not like young lust and we dont even say it but yes there is love. On the surface it's wierd as we are always giving each other a sarcastically hard time (sort of an act to amuse kids and to tell each other why they're annoying)... but when kids nor around we are holding hands and little gestures.

Oh yes I have loads of acquaintances but he is my only friend.

Sorry to bring down all the loveliness, but reading this thread has reduced me to tears. It's only been 5 years since we married and we've massively drifted apart despite both working at it.

It's certainly given me food for thought about my future.

Oh gosh everyone is so loved up.

I'd say we tolerate each other! 15 years!!

Together 25 and married 22. It hasn’t always been rosy, and I’m sure I don’t fill all his needs as he can’t fill all my needs but I think it’s highly unrealistic for a spouse to fill ALL your needs! But yes, we still love (and almost more importantly Like!) each other!

Yes. 28 years (and not married). We both work and have shared everything equally since the day we met. Of course things are not the same all the time. We consider ourselves very lucky.

@JammyGem Sorry you’re feeling low

12 years...its been a hard few years...both have decided to make an effort and try more... going to try and re-discover "us".

It's 16 years this year and I am still passionately in love with him. He's the finest man I've ever met...

Been together about 40 years. Only married 34 ( I think 🤔)
I would say we are soulmates. But admit that we have hit rocky patches. Illnesses, looking after elderly family, and such. Life has threw a few hard balls at us.
There are still things going on, but at the end of the day I can say I love him, although there are times when I don't like him , but it passes and the same goes for him.

He is a kind soul and I could never have been with anyone else.

When we were having our 2nd child many many years ago, I was in labour and unable to speak and he knew me and was able to communicate for me.
That sort of sums us up.

Together 13 years, married for 3. If anything, he's more right for me than when we met. We balance what ester perel would call the companion (trust, reliability, on the same team) and the lover (play, fun, sex) well.

Yes I am. Nearly 20 years.