I should've called this "encouraging each other's strengths". Or encouraging each other's weirdness. Either way, just encouraging each other to be each other, without censorship, without that jealous, possessive controlling "thing", without constraints of any kind, yet having a feeling of absolute love and loyalty to each other, so there's no fear of either straying.

Is anyone enjoying that kind of relationship???

I believe my relationship is close but it is a constant struggle and investing time and resources into it. Relationships are like kids always have to be doing something for them. I do want my boyfriend to be himself because he is honest, respectful, hardworking but I also encourage him to work on his issues. I do not think he would cheat because he has had complete freedom to go and do it and he always comes to me. What I have from him now is complete determination to make this work and it is wonderful to feel that

A therapist told me that is the basis when you are constantly willing to work at it.

Thanks for the great disclosure, nina.

Should relationships BE such hard work? Well, the fact is, yes. Just to keep the passion alive. Gotta keep talking, gotta keep making love, gotta keep physically and mentally active, discovering new things, in each other, and in life...and talking about them, together. Gotta grow together...or we grow apart...and the relationship dies. Like Woody Allen says, in the movie, Annie Hall, "A relationship is like a shark. It has to keep moving."

I'm looking for an exercise partner! And someone who likes continuing their education in something. That's me.