What does a relationship mean to you?

I've been thinking about this for awhile and I guess virgovixen's thread on this board prompted me to start this thread. What does being in a romantic partnership mean to you? What meaning does it hold for you that is unlike your other relationships (aside from the obvious physical side of it). What things do you need from a relationship in order to feel fulfilled..if these things are not realized, is this automatically a deal breaker for you? What sort of expectations are ok to have in a relationship and do these add or detract from the longevity of the relationship? Do they make for a healthier relationship if realistic and fair?

It means .... to live and let live.

Pulling from the thread in which you mentioned, I can say that the meaning of a relationship to me is NOT in accordance with what VirgoVixen has.

In her thread, I get the impression that her whole point is ..... because I give and give to him, he should give back.

Nobody should do anything ... they love, or they don't. Love is to be given because it is felt and wanted to give, and not because the other has done for you and now you have an obligation.

When the hell did I ever say he had to Love me? P-angel get your life together and get off your Soapbox!!

I think what a relationship means to a person has a lot to do with how you were raised.

My parents go thru lots of ups and downs on little things but they are always there for each other. They are best friends. So that's what I look for in a relationship. A friend first and foremost.

My fathers love for me has also influenced what I look for in a guy. A strong, dependable, nurturing sensitive guy. Deal breakers are dishonest, manipulative, and overall a weak individual. Also if you can't be there for me when I need you I can't deal with that.

I think a lot of the older ladies think they are wiser but really they've let life beat them up & they may feel stuck or too old to find someone more compatible. I don't think anyone should settle like that.

"Take it! Take it deeeep!!!"

Hahahaha! OMG I nearly fell off my chair there OC lol.

What does being in a romantic partnership mean to you? What meaning does it hold for you that is unlike your other relationships (aside from the obvious physical side of it).

It just depends on what you want in your life. Some people are content with just sexual relationships. Me, I want something a bit deeper and more central to my needs in life.