My most heart-rendering Christmas...

[+ Truereview]

My partner and I decided on the day we met that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, and we have (47 years and counting). However, we were not Romeo and Juliet. We agreed that each of us was free to satisfy his own needs, sexual and emotional. We didn't place any limits on our relations with other people, and each of us had one romantic affair with another person during the first twenty years together, with the other partner's full knowledge. It certainly wasn't always smooth and easy, but the key is that we trusted one another, and each of us was committed to support the other, even if it meant changing or ending the partnership for the other's sake. I'm not sure than anyone has ever lived "happily ever after."

What I like about what you say, Charlie, is that no one but the two of you get to define your own happily ever after.

[+ Funguy]

My partner and I have been together for 23 years. In fact, we are getting married tomorrow. We have always had an open relationship in principle, although there have been long periods when neither of us had sexual partners outside of the relationship.

 

CONGRATULATION RUDYNATE!!!

[Donpat]

My partner and I have been together for 23 years. In fact, we are getting married tomorrow. We have always had an open relationship in principle, although there have been long periods when neither of us had sexual partners outside of the relationship.

Congratulations!

[gallahadesquire]

CONGRATULATION RUDYNATE!!!

 

+1

[big-n-tall]

Many men agree to commit in order to have children. Most couples discuss the issue before marriage. If she agreed to it beforehand, it's not unreasonable for her husband to expect her to fulfill her end of the bargain. Of course, something may have happened between them that changed her mind.

 

What happened that led to the divorce, if you're at liberty to tell?

 

Not going to go into detail, but he never wanted kids. She didn't start talking about kids until it was clear the marriage was failing. Now that it's over, she seems more eager to have one.

Sadly, I think she wants a baby to fill the void of loneliness.

[+ quoththeraven]

My partner and I have been together for 23 years. In fact, we are getting married tomorrow. We have always had an open relationship in principle, although there have been long periods when neither of us had sexual partners outside of the relationship.

 

Congratulations! I'm happy for you.

[+ quoththeraven]

This is just my view, and I'm not sure how helpful it will be, but I view the kind of balance you tried to strike as inherently untenable long-term.

 

I don't know how likely it is to find men you're attracted to who are closer to you in age, interests, and background, but those are the keepers. If no keeper is forthcoming, then hire and play the field. If you want companionship, yes, maybe a platonic relationship can scratch that itch. But any new non-platonic relationship should probably be an open one - on both sides - with as much emotional commitment as the two of you can muster. Do not get yourself into another situation where you are the checkbook/responsible person. Do not get into another relationship you intend to be long-term for at least six months if not more.

 

I hope things work out better for you in the future.

[mike carey]

In fact, we are getting married tomorrow.

Congratulations!

[Guest]

My partner and I have been together for 23 years. In fact, we are getting married tomorrow. We have always had an open relationship in principle, although there have been long periods when neither of us had sexual partners outside of the relationship.

Wow! Congratulations!

 

http://www.gayweddingguide.net/wp-content/uploads/gay-wedding-guide.jpg

 

Where are you honeymooning, if I may ask?

 

(By the way, both of my ex's asked me to marry them)

[Rudynate]

Wow! Congratulations!

 

http://www.gayweddingguide.net/wp-content/uploads/gay-wedding-guide.jpg

 

Where are you honeymooning, if I may ask?

 

(By the way, both of my ex's asked me to marry them)

 

We're going to our favorite local place - Sonoma.

[RussJohnson]

My partner and I decided on the day we met that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, and we have (47 years and counting). However, we were not Romeo and Juliet. We agreed that each of us was free to satisfy his own needs, sexual and emotional. We didn't place any limits on our relations with other people, and each of us had one romantic affair with another person during the first twenty years together, with the other partner's full knowledge. It certainly wasn't always smooth and easy, but the key is that we trusted one another, and each of us was committed to support the other, even if it meant changing or ending the partnership for the other's sake. I'm not sure than anyone has ever lived "happily ever after."

 

My partner and I have been together for 23 years. In fact, we are getting married tomorrow. We have always had an open relationship in principle, although there have been long periods when neither of us had sexual partners outside of the relationship.

 

I feel like there is a new thread building...People need to stop learning about long term relationships and love from movies, television, celebrities, magazines, and media, and start learning from real people living it today and everyday.

[+ WilliamM]

I feel like there is a new thread building...People need to stop learning about long term relationships and love from movies, television, celebrities, magazines, and media, and start learning from real people living it today and everyday.

 

If Unicorn used a movie as a guide, it would have been xx-rated.

[+ honcho]

If Unicorn used a movie as a guide, it would have been xx-rated.

 

I'm not intending to make fun at Unicorn's expense in the least at saying this, but I'm sure I've seen more than one

PG-13 or R movies with some implied sex scenes but that were intended as really thought-provoking movies about failed relationships. I'm sorry to learn of his troubles, and wish him better luck in the future.

[bigvalboy]

As I age, I have come to realize that I may never be in a relationship, have a lover, or significant other, and indeed might live out my days with just me and the dog....and I'm OK with that.

[Lookin]

As I age, I have come to realize that I may never be in a relationship, have a lover, or significant other, and indeed might live out my days with just me and the dog....

 

We need to talk . . .

[bigvalboy]

LMAO...

[+ Gar1eth]

As I age, I have come to realize that I may never be in a relationship, have a lover, or significant other, and indeed might live out my days with just me and the dog....and I'm OK with that.

 

I'm just like you with two exceptions.

 

#1. No dog

#2. I'm not ok with the thought of being alone.

 

But on the other hand, I think I'd be lousy in a relationship. Considering I'm 54-5/6 years old, have never had a boyfriend (or a girlfriend either), and had only about 3 actual dates with a guy in my entire life-all with the same guy I might add- (I don't count meetings for coffee that never really progress beyond that, meetings with escorts, or occasional hook-ups as real dates. I'm also not including the approximately 10 or less dates I had with girls/women in junior high, high school, or college as real dates. They never progressed to more than a quick peck on the lips), I think I've screwed myself out of ever being able to have a relationship.

 

Gman