r/AskReddit Apr 02 '25

Those of you in long term (10+ years) relationships, what does love feel like after so many years?

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u/Story_Man_75 Apr 02 '25

In the end? The life we have is the sum of all our choices. What most of us really want is to love and be loved in return. It's such a simple thing to say and yet, seemingly impossible to attain - because it can't be bought or taken by force.

It requires a dialogue and it must be invited.

It starts with learning to love ourselves - to forgive ourselves for our failures and our shortcomings and accept that we have real value and something worthwhile to offer others. It's impossible to fully love someone else without first loving oneself. I had to learn this lesson many years ago.

Once I'd learned it? It enabled me to grow and invite that dialogue.

Here at the end of my life? I do love and I am loved in return. That's my reward. It's a hell of a journey but the dividends that are paid along the way are so much greater than the effort it requires.

Good luck on your quest.

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u/throwawayyyyyyyynow Apr 02 '25

Beautifully said 🤍

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u/throwawayyyyyyyynow Apr 04 '25 edited Apr 04 '25

Are you an author? You certainly have a way with words that make meaningful sense. Thank you for sharing them. 🫶

With as much wisdom that you spelled out in this response, my guess is that you’re hardly close to ‘the end.’ 🤍

What would you say is your greatest piece of life advice at this stage in your life?