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Relationships

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What things are truly important in long term relationships or marriage?

112 replies

justfindingmyway · 19/08/2025 16:02

Hi all, I’m navigating through finding a new ‘me’, or rather, reviving the old one, after a horrible situation with my ex partner with whom I lived and was due to marry.

of course it is all subjective, but I’d be really interested to hear from your experiences as to what you have found to be the most valuable attributes, particularly those of you who have ‘gone the mile’ in relationships and deem it to have been fairly happy and functional.

I guess I am trying to figure out what is really important, because in my thirties, I feel I’ll need to make some allowances as I’d want made for me.

things to consider; attraction, kindness, reasonableness, communication, work ambitions and finances, sense of adventure, eager for self growth and learning. These feel important to me, but I am mindful I may let some that are more superficial overrule the others, which actually may be more important things for a happy future.

i have a good job and keep myself well, so mindful that I can be a little conceited in terms of what I may expect. My exes have all been the breadwinner and quite ‘flash’. I didn’t look for that, but superficial connections seem to have found me, and left me in some not very nice situations where, upon reflection, I realised I was never valued for me and rather I was more of a ‘trophy’ to add to their self proclaimed status, and I don’t want that again.

apologies if this is waffly, just really keen for some lived experiences from anyone who has taken the time to read.

Thanks all

OP posts:
TheFoxylady · 19/08/2025 16:39

Hi... after been in a number of poor relationship choices. What i consider important is trustworthy, kindness, work ambition (as i am also quite ambitious) and someone who can not match me financially but someone who can bring something to the table if that makes sense.. above all someone who is my best friend and makes me laugh every single day. I dont think with my list I am asking too much 🤣🤣

Arlanymor · 19/08/2025 16:40

Trust
Trust
Trust

It's the foundation.

CheshireCat1 · 19/08/2025 16:41

Trust, humour and loyalty

TheSolivagant · 19/08/2025 16:41

Companionship.

Fleamaker · 19/08/2025 16:45

Emotional intelligence/maturity
Kindness

MiloMinderbinder925 · 19/08/2025 16:48

Kindness, consideration, respect, love, open communication and ability to compromise.

tofuprincess · 19/08/2025 16:54

Don't live together.

I've been with my partner about eight years. When we meet up it's like a date night. We have things to share, we're excited to see each other and we don't get wound up by each other's foibles.

Apart from that it's the sense of humour, ability to communicate, trust etc...

Ruggerlass · 19/08/2025 16:55

Trust, respect, communication, ability to compromise, love, team work, gives each other space to pursue own hobbies etc,

Thecatthatgotthesouredmilk · 19/08/2025 17:29

Trust is the cornerstone.

Daisyvodka · 19/08/2025 17:31

Able to laugh at themselves but also someone who actually wants to sit down and work through issues calmly as a team.
Someone who would never dream of leaving all the housework/cooking/admin to their spouse.
Someone who doesnt get defensive if you raise issues and doesnt have a chip on their shoulder about being wrong about anything (unfortunately this excludes about 70% of humanity)
Someone who is actively interested in you, in making you laugh, in keeping you interested in them, in knowing what your dreams are and supporting them, who wants to be a team with YOU. Not just someone who wants a woman to fill a woman shaped hole in their life.
Someone who is aware of their emotions and shortcomings and actively works on it. Anyone 'not good with feelings' who isnt doing things to work on it (and i dont mean saying 'il try harder' after an argument) run a bloody mile from.

DoubtfulCat · 19/08/2025 19:13

You shouldn’t need them, and they should know that you’re choosing them (and vice versa).

They should respect you as a person, with the same degree of humanity and personhood as they have- along with your own needs, desires, plans, ambitions, dreams, preferences… this is a difficult one for a lot of men, who see women as a sort of accoutrement, a support for their own accomplishments, needs, desires, etc.

Lavenderandbrown · 19/08/2025 19:22

Shared values

BeMellowAquaSquid · 19/08/2025 19:37

Loyalty for me all the way. If you’re not backing me in a public argument we are done. Say what you want behind closed doors but back me with your life otherwise.

Alicealig · 19/08/2025 19:58

To share the same common goal, which is the raising and betterment of your children. If you're both committed to that then not much can come between you.

SirChenjins · 19/08/2025 20:01

Shared values, commitment to the family and each other, and a shared sense of humour - plus a load of luck.

Alicealig · 19/08/2025 20:05

BeMellowAquaSquid · 19/08/2025 19:37

Loyalty for me all the way. If you’re not backing me in a public argument we are done. Say what you want behind closed doors but back me with your life otherwise.

That sounds like you want a lap dog. The last thing I would want if I was making a complete fool of myself and in the wrong in a public setting is for my husband to be standing there backing me, looking like a complete tit also and having everyone think what a spineless excuse for a man.

I couldn't respect anyone like that. If I'm in the wrong, whether I know it or not, I NEED to know that my man isn't going to let that slide and will essentially do his best to get me in check. Yes I'll be embarrassed, but maybe that would make me think twice next time and would learn for the situation instead of having the attitude that if I'm embarrassed you're coming down with me. I'm afraid that's not loyalty from a man your seeing, that's just plain cowardice.

hotchocfiend · 19/08/2025 20:11

Mutual respect/admiration, strong sexual compatibility, similar sense of humour/intellect/values, trust, desire to communicate well even if it takes practice!

DesparatePragmatist · 19/08/2025 20:29

I think what you're going to get here, OP, is a selection of people's individual values and preferences. There is no right answer for everyone, there's just a right answer for you. Your red line is someone else's mild annoyance, your forever glue is someone else's nice-to-have.

I would have said that I needed a someone I respected, who provided, and shared my dreams, ambitions and goals. Various exes who didn't last the course had elements of those things.

Turns out the person I've spent 18 years and 2 DC with, doesn't really have these attributes. Which, yes, is an issue. But the things that have overcome the lack of what I thought i wanted, and are the reason we're still together, wouldn't even have made my list: acceptance, an ability not to argue back, reliability. We're still together because he's these things.

MsGoodenough · 19/08/2025 20:30

You have to fancy your husband/wife and be in love with them. This may seem too obvious but for me it wasn't. For me, I was being so careful looking for all of the wonderful qualities that are typically on threads like these and foolishly came to the conclusion they were more important than love and lust. I'd give anything to go back to my 20s self and tell her not to settled down with anyone she didn't have the hots for, and not to feel guilty for dumping a wonderful man you don't fancy.

CuppaWhiteTea · 19/08/2025 20:34

Shared values, similar sense of humour, respect each other and on each other’s side, kindness, playfulness, silliness

Dabberlocks · 19/08/2025 20:36

Tolerance
Co-operation
A shared sense of humour
Trust

PermanentTemporary · 19/08/2025 20:37

Lots and lots of sexual attraction and reasonably compatible sex drives - doesn’t have to be perfect but it bloody well helps if they learn how to make you come and then show interest in doing that.
Total comfort with that person - no walking on eggshells, no having to pretend.
Someone who when you look over across the pub table with your mates/Christmas dinner table with your mum/work do/cot containing your screaming 6 month old, you think ‘wow I’m pretty happy and proud I’m with that person. They’re great’.

mindutopia · 19/08/2025 20:37

Dh and I have been very happily married for 17 years. The thing that stood out about him when we first started dating that was (embarrassing maybe!) shockingly different from everyone I had dated before was that he was completely dependable.

If he said he’d be at my place at 7, he’d be there at 6:59. If he promised a friend that he’d help them paint their house on Saturday at 7am, he’d be there ready to go no matter what time he went to bed. If it was someone’s birthday, he always remembered and got them a really thoughtful present. He was that friend who got everyone home safely, offered to help them move house, volunteered lifts places, never missed work, etc. He was someone everyone could rely on. He is lots of people’s ’best friends’ (I’ve lost count of how many times he’s been best man in a friend’s wedding). He’s like that guy everyone knows will always be there for them. It was really obvious early on and it’s still true nearly 2 decades later.

CarpetKnees · 19/08/2025 20:39

Respect
Similar values in life
Sense of humour
Being able to work with the things you disagree about, including resolving arguments

FirstdatesFred · 19/08/2025 20:40

Even tempered-ness
Communication
A gentle soul

I think those are my top

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