How to Tell If It Is a Romantic Relationship or Friendship

If a husband and a wife are the best friends in the first place, their marriage will be healthy and happy. It's difficult to disagree with this statement because according to psychologists if partners view each other as friends, their relationship will last long. But what if the feelings you have for your partner are purely platonic? Love and friendship have a lot in common but at the same time, there are some features according to which they can be distinguished. Relationship experts from Dating Brides Online decided to define the line between these two types of bond.

Common Features

Attraction . Peoplecan be attracted not only romantically or sexually. Best friends are attracted to each other. If they don'tsee each other for years, they can experience the same feelings as loving partners do.

Intimacy . When we open up to a person, share our thoughts, dreams, and plans, that person automatically becomes dear to us. And if we get the same level of opennessin return, a very strong bond is established between us. It'spossible both between friends and lovers.

Respect . A healthy romantic relationship is based on mutual respect. The same can be said about friendship. But it would be wrong to claim that if you admire your partner then your feelings are stronger than friendship. Friends whom you admire for their personal qualities or achievements will inspire you and make you even a better person.

Support . Both friends and lovers are supposed to comfort each other. People need friends because they need somebody to support them when something bad happens. They also need somebody to share some pleasant moments with.

Fun and pleasure . Enjoying each other's company, having a great time together, laughing at the same jokes, and waiting to see each other again - these are not the sure-firesigns of romantic feelings. But it does indicate that you're very good friends.

What Is the Difference Between Love and Friendship?

Some may say: "Sex" And they we'll be partially right because there is such thing as friends with benefits. Still, there are some other aspects that distinguish lovers from friends.

Common goals . Only romantic couples think about their common future and make plans. Even though friends can have similar views on lifestyle, politics, or religion, their goals are individual.

Time and attention . In a romantic relationship, partners spend every free second with each other. The same can't be said even about bosom friends. Two people decide to focus on one another and that attention they get lets them feel comfortable. If one of the partners doesn't give enough attention to the other partner, it might indicatesoon breakup.

Mutual dependency . This is what determines a romantic relationship. Yes, friends are interdependent but lovers' lives are more tightly intertwined. Lovers gradually substitute "you and I" with "we".

Positive illusions . Partners usually idealize each other while friends are more realistic. These illusions distinguish love from friendship.

Commitment . A couple can't be called "friends" if the partners are ready to take on responsibilities. The decision to dedicate your life to another person predetermines the success of a romantic relationship.