Question

Jake and Sally have dated for several months. They have talked briefly about marriage and more extensively about living together. They have a strong sexual attraction to each other and describe their relationship as passionate. Sally feels very lucky to have met someone like Jake and wants to spend all their free time together. She is even willing to take up Jake's hobbies so that they can be together all the time. Lately, Sally has developed an intense jealousy over Jake's spending time with his friends from work. Jake cares for Sally but wants to maintain some degree of freedom. If Jake begins to spend too much time with his friends, what must he come to understand about a committed relationship if he wants it to work?

Answer 1

But, if Jake begins to spend too much time with his friends, he needs to come to understand that committed relationships require: trust, communication, compromise, loyalty, respect, and a significant amount of quality time spent with a partner. This time can be used to strengthen the bond, develop trust, and create meaningful memories.

If Jake cares for Sally, but wants to maintain a degree of freedom there needs to be communication about what both parties feel as acceptable and be considered as healthy.