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Yup that's usually the case. When you're minding your own business, doing the things you like to do, filling your own chalice. I like to think of a relationship as two chalices. If one is empty, the other loses some/all of their precious essence in order to fill the other, but neither can ever be full. If both are empty, high expectations are not met by either party, and it ends in more loneliness, or a couple of kids as a sad attempt to fill the void. But if both chalices are full, the mixing of essences can be a beautiful thing, and each person is able to evolve even further. There is no need for the other, but simply love. Expectations are easier to meet if each party has learned to take care of their own needs. This of course doesn't take into account illness. There will always be times of sacrifice. There will be times of empty chalices. But acts of altruism seem to have a magical way of filling them back up. Thank you for YOUR spoons @weirdheadaches. Hope you and your wife are well ^.^

"the mixing of essences can be a beautiful thing, and each person is able to evolve even further. There is no need for the other, but simply love." :]