In long-term relationships, what love looks like can change over time. According to a theory by Sternberg, love has three main parts: intimacy, passion, and commitment. These parts can evolve in different ways as the relationship grows.
Intimacy: When couples first get together, they often feel very passionate and emotionally close, which boosts their intimacy. But as time goes by, that initial excitement may fade. Instead, intimacy can grow deeper in a more friendly and caring way. This change can make the bond between couples stronger as they share life experiences and face challenges together.
Passion: The intense passion that lovers often feel in the beginning usually lessens over time. This isn’t a bad thing! In fact, it can lead to a more stable and lasting love. Some couples find new ways to bring back the passion through exciting experiences, while others might find that their relationship shifts more towards companionship and friendship.
Commitment: Commitment often gets stronger as time goes on. Partners invest in each other and their lives together. Deciding to work through problems and stay together helps build this commitment. It can become a solid base that holds the relationship together through different stages of life.
So, even though the way these three parts show up in a relationship may change, it doesn’t mean that the love is any less. Couples can experience many versions of love, where intimacy grows deeper, passion goes up and down, and commitment gets stronger. Understanding that love is always changing can help partners deal with the natural shifts in their long-term relationships. Embracing these changes can create a rich and fulfilling partnership that lasts through the years.
In long-term relationships, what love looks like can change over time. According to a theory by Sternberg, love has three main parts: intimacy, passion, and commitment. These parts can evolve in different ways as the relationship grows.
Intimacy: When couples first get together, they often feel very passionate and emotionally close, which boosts their intimacy. But as time goes by, that initial excitement may fade. Instead, intimacy can grow deeper in a more friendly and caring way. This change can make the bond between couples stronger as they share life experiences and face challenges together.
Passion: The intense passion that lovers often feel in the beginning usually lessens over time. This isn’t a bad thing! In fact, it can lead to a more stable and lasting love. Some couples find new ways to bring back the passion through exciting experiences, while others might find that their relationship shifts more towards companionship and friendship.
Commitment: Commitment often gets stronger as time goes on. Partners invest in each other and their lives together. Deciding to work through problems and stay together helps build this commitment. It can become a solid base that holds the relationship together through different stages of life.
So, even though the way these three parts show up in a relationship may change, it doesn’t mean that the love is any less. Couples can experience many versions of love, where intimacy grows deeper, passion goes up and down, and commitment gets stronger. Understanding that love is always changing can help partners deal with the natural shifts in their long-term relationships. Embracing these changes can create a rich and fulfilling partnership that lasts through the years.