Have you fallen out of love with your spouse and contend with just being each others' companion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm not sure I was in love with him to begin with! It was always a very cerebral attraction.

What is love, anyway?

Sometimes, like today during our outing, I feel a rush of deep affection for him. I want to hold him and protect him.
Sometimes I see that he's gorgeous and feel sexually attracted to him.
Often I barely tolerate him and everything he does makes me want to bark at him.

But he is never, ever dull and always has something interesting to discuss. This is why I married him, and why I stay.

This description: Isn't this what marriage is supposed to be? I think it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My spouse and I just tolerate one another.

same here. Barely tolerate.

[Anonymous]

You know everyone needs to think about the EXPENSE of divorce. Also the nastiness of adultery (literally, disease...). Why trade in your used car for someone else's used car?
When I think of these things, I say, "I will stick with what I have".

[Anonymous]

My husband is just to tired and burnt out from work. I take this into consideration a great deal but he has no energy to try harder. I have tried many positive ways to cheerlead him, woo him... it is what it is. I have finally accept it.

[Anonymous]

Married about 20 years, no kids. Were never really all that sexually compatible, but our partnership and mutual affection has I'm sure gotten both of us farther in life than we'd ever imagined. We are each other's best friends--we message each other all day, share very similar outlooks on most things, spent most of our free time together, etc. I can't fathom a life without "us."

[Anonymous]

I would add that care, attention and respect are required so a couple can communicate and nurture growth along a somewhat similar, or at least compatible direction.
(Meet at 18 years, together 25 years, married 19)
Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:It only works if both people evolve in that direction at the same time. I can't claim to say how often that actually happens.

[Anonymous]

At first it's a vow then a goal and finally a threat