Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think a large percentage of couples aren't In Love!

123 replies

Aquarius1234 · 18/06/2025 23:17

Those that are in relationships that started in the last 5 years.
Would you say your in love with your other half?

Or its just good enough and you get on Okay and didn't have any hangups about getting into a serious/ sexual relationship.
Neither of you had issues that meant it would be difficult to form a proper relationship..

OP posts:
SwirlingAroundSleep · 19/06/2025 20:37

Aquarius1234 · 18/06/2025 23:57

Okay as long as there's something specific about your husband compared to any other nice, decent man of a similar age / common ground.

Edited

Of course there’s something specific, my DP is his own unique person.

Honestly, you seem obsessed with the idea that people can’t find someone who they truly love. My DP (soon to be DH) is unique and no I could not ever find someone exactly like him. I have met plenty of blokes his age/height etc. and never had the spark I have with him - I never had the same feeling of contentment alongside the thrill and lust of falling in love either (and I thought I had been in love before him). We’re incredibly different people and yet we’re also so in tune, have been happy even through some incredibly tough times, make each other laugh endlessly and the sex is incredible too. He’s also an amazing father (so good to his existing kids I wanted another with him).

So no, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else in the world and I do truly love him.

Lilyricker · 20/06/2025 01:23

she also told me at the age of 90 that they only had sex once a month but that didn’t mean they weren’t still in love 🤮

It's safe to say that they probably hadn't had sex for at least 3 decades. It tends to stop at around 50, where you settle into sexlessness and just sort of start drifting along together, set in your ways.

DriveMeCrazy1974 · 20/06/2025 07:48

Aquarius1234 · 19/06/2025 00:33

Not bitter or thinking you need to be affectionate all over each other.
In love doesn't necessarily mean touching all the time... or saying it loud no thanks.

Im just curious whether it's fine to not be in love with whoever your dating/ in a relationship with.

As it seems that way from what I see.

Tho im not sure how much you need to like someone 😕 🤔 lol

You definitely need to like the person you're with as well as be in love with them. I've been with my husband for nearly 33 years and we've always had a very loving relationship, we're in love. However, the longer in the relationship we are, I can honestly say I like him massively too. It's something I think about a lot, actually. I often think if we weren't together, would we be good friends and I think, yes, we would because I like him a heck of a lot. Being without him would be infinitely worse than being with him.
We're the nauseating couple who celebrate the anniversary of when we met as well as our wedding anniversary. We're the annoying couple that still holds hands when they're out.
I have to say though that I would find it incredibly hard to date in the modern sense. All of the going on apps etc - where's the excitement in that? Where's the adventure of meeting somebody in, for example, a nightclub and just finding out what the person is like? I think it must be incredibly difficult when you already know what a person likes etc. Like you've already ticked the box of what you find acceptable and aren't prepared to discover anything new about them.

DriveMeCrazy1974 · 20/06/2025 07:49

Lilyricker · 20/06/2025 01:23

she also told me at the age of 90 that they only had sex once a month but that didn’t mean they weren’t still in love 🤮

It's safe to say that they probably hadn't had sex for at least 3 decades. It tends to stop at around 50, where you settle into sexlessness and just sort of start drifting along together, set in your ways.

Edited

Gosh, that's depressing! Do you really believe that couples stop having sex at 50?

helpmeCalifornia · 20/06/2025 08:00

Aquarius1234 · 18/06/2025 23:57

Okay as long as there's something specific about your husband compared to any other nice, decent man of a similar age / common ground.

Edited

Well yes of course there’s something specific about DH. There’s lots of things - as there were at the beginning. He’s an incredible dad, he’s funny, he’s so completely loyal and committed to this family, he’s handsome and he’s very kind. Just off the top of my head - he has many wonderful qualities. As do I! We both also have a fair few less desirable traits and sometimes we get on each others nerves or get so caught up in our own thing we forget about each other for a bit. Which is ok too.

If you’re asking if there’s something specific that makes him particularly my soul mate, destiny or ‘the one’ - well no. I don’t believe in that. I’m sure I could have been as happy with any number of the billions of people on this planet had circumstances been different, and I could probably be pretty happy on my own too. I don’t feel like there’s one person who can ‘complete’ you or meet all your needs. Ultimately it was us two who met, fancied each other, enjoyed spending time together and ticked enough of each other’s boxes to want to build a life together - which we have and it’s a pretty good life that we’re both committed to.

The thing I see on mumsnet is either clearly terrible relationships that should be ended immediately, or it’s all ‘he’s my best friend, my favourite person, we have sex twice a day, prefer spending time with each other than anyone else and everything is perfect’. In my real life, and all the people I know well enough to know some details of their relationships, most people are just kind of muddling through. It’s not perfect or everything they dreamed of, they might not have much or any sex anymore, they argue a fair bit but always make up, or they don’t argue but don’t talk much either etc etc

If you’re asking if people settle because they want to be in a relationship or start a family then yes, load’s so probably - some knowingly some without admitting it to themselves. But I don’t think that’s a new thing, it’s always happened.

BigFatLiar · 20/06/2025 08:15

DriveMeCrazy1974 · 20/06/2025 07:49

Gosh, that's depressing! Do you really believe that couples stop having sex at 50?

Well.... No, perhaps not so often but it's a definite no. I wouldn't care if we didn't, it doesn't define our relationship but we do still enjoy intimacy on occasion.

DriveMeCrazy1974 · 20/06/2025 08:56

BigFatLiar · 20/06/2025 08:15

Well.... No, perhaps not so often but it's a definite no. I wouldn't care if we didn't, it doesn't define our relationship but we do still enjoy intimacy on occasion.

I guess every couple is different really. What might be right may not be right for some.

MonkeyTennis34 · 20/06/2025 14:51

@Pigeon123456
That is a wonderful quote and so very very true IMO.

socks1107 · 20/06/2025 14:58

@Lilyricker no it most definitely doesn’t for everyone. For some it’s way better than it’s ever been.

we are in love, have been for 14,years and happily so

Mimsykins · 20/06/2025 15:04

12 years and the honeymoon period hasn't worn off

ArtTheClown · 20/06/2025 15:08

We're almost twenty years in, love each other deeply and are still in love. I mean of course it's evolved from the first obsessive, high as a kite sex haze phase, but he's my absolute world.

AllSoComplicated · 20/06/2025 15:52

Pigeon123456 · 18/06/2025 23:29

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.

Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.That is just being in love, which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres

Someone once said "love is not a feeling, it is a decision".

Can't remember who though. And I am single from picking the wrong men. I would have loved a long marriage with the right person though. I think people who can have that are very lucky.

Aquarius1234 · 20/06/2025 18:03

AllSoComplicated · 20/06/2025 15:52

Someone once said "love is not a feeling, it is a decision".

Can't remember who though. And I am single from picking the wrong men. I would have loved a long marriage with the right person though. I think people who can have that are very lucky.

I think I agree that it can be a decision..You meet someone find out more and more about them..and then decide if you want to continue or not. Of course both have to be on the same page.
Dating probably isn't much different to finding a job. You could find a few suitable work places or partners.
Stable and alright but not your passion.
It's very rare and lucky for those that have a so called soul mate or a job they love. That neither bring stress or issues as such.
I relate to picking the wrong men. I never want boring but the weird ones are no good. I want someone with a spark and personality without being too much. Introvert that's also outgoing and low key.
Lol someone that likes the fact I myself am a little weird.. making threads for a start.

OP posts:
Butterpaneer · 20/06/2025 19:12

DH and I met 19 years ago, married 10. 1 child. We are mid- late 30s now.

We're still super in love. I actually can't imagine every being with anyone else and the idea of being intimate with someone other than him turns my stomach a bit. We miss eachother, get excited to see eachother after a night away, have silly fun together and are still incredibly attracted to eachother. We are lucky

pinkdragonfruitlatte · 20/06/2025 19:15

Wow it’s very sad to think you feel 5 years is enough to be fine with not being in love. 5 years is still a relatively short relationship if you’re meaning married couples. Speaking for myself I can confirm me and my husband are still very much in love with each other 20+ years on and this was also true for my parents who were together 50+ years before one of them passed away. Don’t settle for just ok, we are all worth so much more than just ok.

DoYouReally · 20/06/2025 20:21

I'm with my partner 4 years.

I've had two long term relationships before than and a few short ones too.

This time was different. It didn't start with the huge initial lust that previous relationships did. I just liked him, he was funny and kind. I genuinely don't think I was overly attracted to him until about our 3rd-4th date. I would normally cut someone off quicker if there wasn't instant attraction but for some reason I was just drawn to him and kept wanted to see him.

It went from he's really nice, to oh my God, why didn't I realise he's this attractive.

Never had a relationship before where it wasn't instant but this seems far more solid in that it's more mature or permanent. Solid foundation, then attraction. The rest were the other way around.

verityveritas · 20/06/2025 21:00

I love my dh, he’s my best mate (although of course we irritate each other from time to time) but no, not ‘in’ love with him, as that ‘crush’ emotion can disappear very quickly, whereas the deep love emotion is much more long lasting and stands the test of time, he still loves me, despite my portly demeanour and chin wig😆 and I love him and his shiny bald pate!

Aquarius1234 · 20/06/2025 21:14

DoYouReally · 20/06/2025 20:21

I'm with my partner 4 years.

I've had two long term relationships before than and a few short ones too.

This time was different. It didn't start with the huge initial lust that previous relationships did. I just liked him, he was funny and kind. I genuinely don't think I was overly attracted to him until about our 3rd-4th date. I would normally cut someone off quicker if there wasn't instant attraction but for some reason I was just drawn to him and kept wanted to see him.

It went from he's really nice, to oh my God, why didn't I realise he's this attractive.

Never had a relationship before where it wasn't instant but this seems far more solid in that it's more mature or permanent. Solid foundation, then attraction. The rest were the other way around.

I normally have what you describe but its the not quite clicking or having enough in common that means it doesn't lead anywhere.
Sounds good though.

OP posts:
Nannyfannybanny · 21/06/2025 05:56

Sex stops at 50, well I didn't get the memo and I'm 74!

LemondrizzleShark · 18/07/2025 00:50

MsTamborineMan · 19/06/2025 14:08

I loathe this reading eith a deep deep passion

Same - always baffled me when people picked it for their wedding reading! Says essentially that they are no longer in love with their fiance but have decided to marry them anyway as nobody better on the horizon.

Everyone I know who picked it has divorced. We used a John Donne poem and are still together Wink

bumblingbovine49 · 18/07/2025 01:39

KeyboardCat · 19/06/2025 00:00

This was the reading at our wedding 2 months ago ♥️

And at mine 20 years ago

PorridgeAndSyrup · 18/07/2025 01:53

Aquarius1234 · 18/06/2025 23:33

Because dating and relationships seemed to have changed so much in recent years.
Blame I Phones / instagram/ face time/ whats app , whatever. Online dating. Check lists.
Is nothing organic or worth meaning.

I think lots of people in newer? relationships aren't in necessarily the right ones. Is good and decent or just alright but nothing much in common the same as being crazy in love.

Why stay with someone that's a friend but you dont fancy them. Or just that they are reliable and no health issues.

I met my husband on Tinder 10 years ago. Tinder was how we found out about each other's existence and arranged our first date, but after that, all the dates we went on, all the chatting, the getting to know each other, the chemistry, which led to passion, which made us keep going back for a third and fourth and 20th and 30th date until we moved in together, and then got married and had two kids... all of that was organic and natural. We still very much love each other, and enjoy each other's company.

I met my 2 previous boyfriends in the "traditional way" and... let's just say I am glad I didn't end up marrying either of them, as they were not good relationships, but I was too young and inexperienced to realise it.

nouht · 18/07/2025 06:04

I think lots of people don't like their partner - they don't enjoy hanging out with them as friends.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page