When people talk about relationships, they usually talk about passion, romance, chemistry, or attraction. But very often one important thing is forgotten and it’s friendship. I have been thinking about this a lot, especially after reading stories on relationship websites and talking to people who met through best senior online dating sites or online dating sites for singles. Many of them say the same thing in different words: love without friendship can not last long.
As for me, friendship in relations is not about being “just friends”. It is about feeling safe with a person. It is when you can talk freely, laugh at stupid things, share silence, and not be afraid to be yourself. Passion can come and go, emotions can change with time or fade, but friendship is what stays when life becomes difficult. And life always becomes difficult at some point.
Some people think that friendship kills romance. I dare to disagree. I believe friendship makes romance deeper. When you respect your partner, when you are interested in his thoughts, when you enjoy simple time together, attraction grows in a more natural way. I have seen couples who started with strong passion but had no friendship and they burned out very fast. And I have seen couples who met online, built friendship first, and later created strong and warm relationships.
Of course, every person is different. Some want fire, drama, strong emotions. Others want calm, trust, and support. But even fire needs a base. Without friendship, relations become tiring, full of misunderstandings and games. With friendship, even problems are easier to solve!
So is friendship in relations a must? For me the answer is yes. I want a man who can be my lover, my partner, and my friend. Someone I can desire, but also respect and trust. I don’t want to choose only one. I believe the best relationships include all of it.
If you are here on dating site, maybe you are also looking not only for love, but for connection. And maybe friendship is not a bonus, maybe it is the foundation?
Olga
