Lot's of sex.

Perfect marriages realize there is no such thing as perfection. But there is accepting the other person for exactly who they are and loving them warts and all. And respecting each other no matter what.

It helps if you speak the same Love Languages. Agree on the amount of together or alone time. Have similar sex drives and kinks (or lack of kinks).

Being a team. Doing what's best for the team. Knowing the other person has your back.

Both my husband & I are independent people. So we allow each other some "me" time too. Our marriage is based on mutual respect, kindness & love! No marriage is perfect but I count my blessings for all that we have. My husband is an amazing man that deeply loves me... and for that I am thankful!

Anonymous wrote:Partnership in everything.

I've found this not true. The happiest couples I know are fine with doing things independently. They are married to their spouse because they like being around them, and having a partner for life's bigger things.

Anonymous wrote:Partnership in everything.

This seems a bit...extreme.

Based on what I see here: one that lacks resentment.

For those that believe in the concept of a "perfect" marriage are sadly far removed from the real world.

Perfection of anything does not exist simply for the fact that not a mortal soul is created perfectly.

Plus even the word itself is open to interpretation.

Anonymous wrote:Sex. Lots of sex, with a guy I lust after (dh). If that need is met, everything else for me is secondary.

I feel bad for you!!!

They complement each other. They have better life together than being alone. Joy, peace.

My grandparents. 85 years old and still got a sparkle in the eye when they looked at each other. I know they had hard times like everyone else, but she still giggled and swatted his hand like a schoolgirl when he patted her on the butt.

The saddest I've ever seen him was when he realized that she was not going to live much longer. Told me he always expected to go first and didn't know how he'd live without her.

They've both been gone for 10+ years but I still think of them as the best marriage I've ever seen. Very strong and independent people, both of them, but also completely counted on each other for everything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the couple, yes? The South Carolina governor, you remember the one caught 'hiking' the Appalachian Trail with his sexy Argentinian mistress had the perfect marriage. Political success, financial wealth and stability, three beautiful boys. Yet it came out in court that it was a marriage of convenience. His wife knew about his prior APs and gave permission for dalliances, what she apparently objected to was being publicly humiliated. Funny thing. So was their marriage perfect or imperfect?

Not what I read.

Apologies, it was more like - she found out about the affair and he thought it prudent to ask her if he could continue to see his paramour. No word on whether or not she said yes though.

"When Jenny and Mark married, he refused to promise to be faithful, insisting that the clause be removed from their wedding vows.

After the affair was exposed, the governor asked her permission to visit his lover again, saying that would be a testament to Jenny's love for him.

He also wondered -- aloud, to her -- whether he should follow his heart to Argentina, and whether he would regret it if he never did."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-02-jenny_sanfords_staying_true_in-story.html

"Jenny Sanford told the AP at the time that she discovered the affair in January 2009 when she found a copy of a letter her husband wrote to Chapur. She said in the ensuing months he asked several times for permission to visit his mistress."

http://www.thestate.com/news/special-reports/mark-sanford/article14375333.html

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the couple, yes? The South Carolina governor, you remember the one caught 'hiking' the Appalachian Trail with his sexy Argentinian mistress had the perfect marriage. Political success, financial wealth and stability, three beautiful boys. Yet it came out in court that it was a marriage of convenience. His wife knew about his prior APs and gave permission for dalliances, what she apparently objected to was being publicly humiliated. Funny thing. So was their marriage perfect or imperfect?

Not what I read.

Sex. Lots of sex, with a guy I lust after (dh). If that need is met, everything else for me is secondary.

Best friends with benefits

I'm kidding but also not. I think that's what it basically boils down to.

I don't think a "perfect" marriage exists because people are not perfect.

Ideal marriage or strong marriage, sure but perfection is not realistic. For me, an ideal marriage is one that may have weathered some hard times whether it's from illness, job stress, family stress or something else but the marriage is stronger or better because of it. Other than that open communication, trust, respect, honesty, love, shared values, laughter, joy, ease and passionate sex.