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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

What does love feel like?

9 replies

Torn18 · 08/07/2018 19:22

Really struggling with things at the moment, I feel like I really don’t like my DH most of the time. I think I love him and certainly care about him deeply and don’t want him to get hurt, but I really don’t know if I’m ‘in love’ anymore? Maybe the answer’s obvious if I’m asking the question, or does it change over time? (Together 13yrs, 2young kids). What does love feel like to you?

OP posts:
Thinkingofausername1 · 08/07/2018 19:29

I’m in a similar boat. I love him but I feel I’m here for convenience. He pushes me away when I try to initiate physical affection unless he wants something. I’m a bit concerned he may have had his head turned because he is more snappy and buying new shirts and more evening meetings.
Question is from me to you, do you look forward to him coming home when he has been out? Do you do fun things together, does he make an effort? Perhaps these are the questions you need to think about and if the answer is no it might be worth sitting down with him and having a discussion about things.

Unsure123123 · 08/07/2018 22:24

If he didn't come back home would you be bothered? If yes then why would you be bothered.

If you saw him with someone else knowing he was exceptionally happy with the other person how much would it upset you.

Answer these and it's a good start.

justthisguy · 09/07/2018 02:41

A comment I read somewhere said it best, for me:

Love - real love (not the kind of love that you're "in" - that's just an oxytocin high which fades after two years with anyone, be they sinner or saint) - is a choice. Without wishing to get too Jesus here, real love involves self-sacrifice. It's the desire to perform a selfless act. It's what we choose to give away. Hence why a mother might sacrifice herself for her child.

But sometimes that choice has to be weighed up against a cost. If all you get is pain - whether mental or physical - then at some point you're heart might think "what's the point?"

I’m in a similar boat. I love him but I feel I’m here for convenience. He pushes me away when I try to initiate physical affection unless he wants something.

Case in point!

If you care for someone deeply and you otherwise get along well and once upon a time you did spark, then love - real love - exists, or at least the potential for it does. Don't confuse not feeling being "in love" - those feelings wax and wane and if, like most couples out there who've got two young kids your stressed, lacking sleep and not seeing things pan out as the "Country Child" dream that you'd planned then sheer exhaustion will push things most definitely towards "wane". When we're depressed - and God knows dealing with two small kids can get depressing! - you can experience something called anhedonia: the inability to feel pleasure for things you always used to feel pleasure about, be it a hobby, music or, yes, your partner.

The truth is these things have a season. I've been there myself. But its also true you get what you give. And love is nothing if not reciprocal. If it's not, work on it and if that fails get out. But equally make sure you're not the one sitting there demanding the kind of giddy feelings that only the first two years of a relationship can bring whilst giving nothing in return.

If not having those giddy feelings is a deal breaker, if not having them brings you enough pain that you feel you cross that critical love/pain threshold then, sure, you have the right to choose to stop loving and look elsewhere. Just be aware you'll be back in the same place when that oxytocin wears off and you'll have to do the same thing again... and again... and again...

sirlee66 · 09/07/2018 03:31

I've been with my DH for 10 years and we have 1 baby DS (plus fur children!)

To me, love is giving DH the best cut of meat from the Sunday Roast. Wishing he was with me for new experiences because I know 'DH would love this'. Thinking about him often during the day and wondering how he's getting on. And feeling complete when we are all tucked up, safe and sound in bed together.

He's my team mate, my partner and my other half. I know him better than he knows himself, as he knows me better than I know myself. We share this deep connection and losing him would feel like losing a limb or vital organ.

Not to mention I fancy the pants off him.

TrustIsGone · 09/07/2018 06:32

justthisguy spot on. I wish before people entered a long term relationship they’d understand that.

maras2 · 09/07/2018 06:52

Wide awake now, lying next to DH and Mumsnetting.
I'm looking at him, snoring, dribbling and smiling in his sleep and I still get a butterfly or two knowing that even after 50 years I only need to stroke his shoulder and anything could happen Wink
That's part of the love that we have.
There's so much more but I love the early(ish) mornings now that we've retired so I'll put the kettle on and take the rest of our day as it comes, Smile
Hope that doesn't sound too smug Blush

carebea · 09/07/2018 06:56

Maras;

I hope I have that feeling one day...😊...your post really made me smile...I think it is lovely and your DH is a very lucky man....50years is amazing..👍...2 life sentences and still madly in love 😍....well done 👍

maras2 · 09/07/2018 07:26

carebea
Only 43 years married but 7 'courting'.
Thank you for your kind words. Smile

crimsonlake · 09/07/2018 07:36

I believe it is more important to 'be in like' with someone than 'in love'.

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