We’re pretty much on the same page again but I didn’t want Erin to think I was putting you up to saying such things so didn’t reply seriously right away. That sounds a bit paranoid but remember the dancing analogy you made which earned me an early morning phone call? Erin, that is still on my top ten list of funniest moments.

I’m torn about the companionship piece - I feel like through cultivating solid enough relationships we can still have it. I think it’s harder to establish with friendships, because unlike romantic relationships where by definition it’s typically expected, that’s not necessarily the case with friendships.

So I wouldn’t want companionship with a girlfriend at the expense of time with friends or alone time.

If I were in one of those couples who follow each other around at parties, not mingling with others unless their partner is standing by their side… Well, I’d hope one of my friends would slap me…

Yeah, Mark you and I came to similar conclusions on intimacy. I could go either way on the companionship piece though - nice for the first couple of months but (especially if living together/married) I like my alone and friend time.

That’s what’s left on my list. Everything else I can provide myself, or receive willingly and regularly from friends. Of course some close friends also provide some intimacy, but it doesn’t even approach the level of intimacy experienced in a ‘romantic’ relationship.

Though to be honest companionship would also stay on the list. Mainly because most of my friends are not single, so their partner has to be consulted when wanting to hang out. That’ll sometimes mean they’re unavailable when I need companionship.

I’m not so sure anyone wants to be ‘mommied’ or ‘daddied’. I suspect the men and women who appear as if they want that are just intrinsically needy, and so in a relationship they unconsciously act clingy, constantly fawning over their partner in the hope that their need for intimacy will be met, not understanding that that is what drives their partner away.