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

[TheAmusedQuail]

I've known of 2 couples over the years that I've known and thought, that is what a relationship should be.

The first was a couple who were having a baby together in their 40s. They'd both been divorced, but had found each other, and were blissfully happy. He died the year after, but... for that moment in time, I was envious of their relationship.

The second is a married couple that I worked with. They are genuinely happily married. She's a dumpy little thing and he honestly feels she is gorgeous and very clever. He's geeky but she totally respects and fancies him. I've known them for over 10 years and have never seen anything to dissuade me about how good their relationship is.

However, these are literally the only 2 couples where I've thought, that is a really good relationship. I'm sure most of the people I know who are married are happy together, but I see those relationships and would hate to be in them.

So YABU - there are plenty of enviable LTR around.
YANBU - most LTR are not worth having.

I think a level of compromise is required that many people these days dont want to,and who can blame them? Been on here for 30 mins and one thread DH is going out for the day,a 15 year olds party ! leaving her with cleaning and prep.Another DH insulted Airport Staff, and was miffed that OP went ahead with the flight.Do you want to be married to either of these Charmers? My friend IRL cooks ,works and does painting as well ! My other friend is divorced due to DH drug habit. Theres a pattern .Old couples who have been married a long time probably find they cannot face life on their own

I’m terminally and very happily single. Twice divorced and in my sixties.

My closest group of friends I’ve known for over forty years, so whilst you never really know, I think I have a fair idea of their relationships.

There is only one that would work for me, although I was never confident enough to have done what they have to make it work so well. They are consistently and brutally honest with each other. Nothing is ever swept under the carpet. They are clearly as in love as when they first met and it’s lovely to see 😍.

My other friends are in relationships that appear to work for them, but I wouldn’t make the sacrifices they do (toxic in-laws, awful adult step children, alcoholism, stinginess, boring) So whilst I don’t envy them, I am happy if they’re happy!

Damn! Ok, I will then consider "Chubbylittlething" or maybe "Frumbychubbything"?

I would say about 50% of couples I know have a good relationship and 50% not great.

I am a dumpy little thing and definitely not attractive to men anymore. Not that I ever really was. I do envy people in relationships because I miss having another person in my life to spend time with, go out for meals etc. I’ve been on my own now for a few years and I really don’t want to be. However as a fat, over 50 not very attractive woman I’m pretty invisible now so guess I need to come to terms with being on my own for the rest of my life.

I’m very smug about our relationship, I haven’t seen a single one where I’ve wished we were like that, and I can quickly see fault, surprised at what people tolerate.

I suspect some people look at us and think ‘I couldn’t do that’ though as DH has a job that takes him away for long periods (although not very frequently), not every relationship is built for that and I appreciate it wouldn’t work for everyone. But I am very fulfilled by our relationship.

Just the one, my ex in-laws.
But I don't think I'm cut out for another relationship. I'm happy as me. If I was lonely and desperate to be in another relationship I might look at any relationship as better than none.

I don't think I've ever been envious of people in happy relationships, it's a strange way of looking at it. I was happy that my friends were happy but they weren't the kind of relationship I wanted for myself. (At two ends of the spectrum - the first couple to get married in our group are all about the conventional domestic life, and they're still blissfully in love after 20 years. At the other, a poly couple I know are definitely living their best lives. Neither are for me!)

I would say most of my friends are happy in their relationships (including me, now). Maybe I'm lucky that in none of my social circles is it the norm to put up with a relationship that makes you miserable. Most of us went through that in our early 20s and learned the right lessons about compatibility from it.

No, I don't know of a single relationship I m jealous of, I think they are all co parenting/ tolerating each other.

Long term single here, have not desired any man for more than a couple of hours in a decade. Find them all a bit irritating after 6 or 7 hours in their company 😅.
I accept it's likely to be my issue.

Envious, none.

A few long term ones I admire, and some that make me thank my lucky stars I'm single ✝️.

My father and his third wife. They didn't have a great start to their relationship, but it made them all the stronger for it and even after 35 years they still very clearly adore each other. I think relationships like that are very rare.

I’m single and do not know one other couple that I am jealous of. They all make me glad I am single tbh

Quite a few of my friends seem happy in their relationships. I might not want to be with their partners and they might not be totally equal but they do seem genuinely happy, which is great to watch. Unfortunately, I am not happy in my marriage so probably one of those relationships where people wonder why we are still together as mostly dont socialise together or do things together.