How much passion does a relationship need to survive?

[La Sagna]

Long term relationships require 'compassionate love'

Compassionate love involves feelings of mutual respect, trust and affection, while passionate love involves intense feelings and sexual attraction.

 

[just me]

There should be enough passion to keep both very interested.

 

[Misadventure]

Passion? Or interest? In my experience, passion took a nose dive with three kids running around. We can't always be so passionate as we used to be when we first fell in love. We have also learned to be more spontaneous and take those brief moments of unbridled passion as they come. (this next part should really go in the Random sexual confession thread, but I'll try to keep it clean) For instance, last weekend the kids were playing outside and we took that opportunity to attack each other in the kitchen. The encounter lasted less than 5 minutes but it was amazing. We then went about our day as usual with the kids none the wiser. Passion is not a long burning fire, it comes in moments, however brief. I would rather have my hubs interested in me, and everything about me, for the long term. If they lose interest in you as a person, then the only thing that will keep you together is passion. And when that goes, which it will, there will be nothing left.

 

[Zosavachia]

It's a simple question but I don't know how simple of a topic this even is. Passion to me equals chemistry. So in order for there to be a constant state of chemistry, you have to be true to yourself.

If you deviate from being true to yourself (dilute yourself), then the passion fizzles. Example:

Some people need to be needed. Right? Knight in shining armor - damsel in distress (distressed damsel) yada yada... When one changes (as in one in the relationship becomes independent) the chemistry changes, the passion fizzles. Suddenly that Knight is not as significant and so he may long for those days...

It's not to say that the relationship can't change over time and grow into something else (some fear this and want it to stay exactly the same... not so realistic).

This goes back to the idea of being in constant bliss. Which is unrealistic, as much as we'd love for it to continue. A great example of how consistent love looks like: Our relationships with dear friends and relatives. They're constant in appreciation and love.

Celebrities live out the futile out idea best where they switch partners as soon as troubled times come. My own idea of romance, is long, sometimes difficult, commitment and bears eternal fruit.

 

[Subbalteatus]

I need passion in a relationship in order to feel fulfilled. It matters a lot to me. I definitely feel it can be rekindled. Every time my last girlfriend got a haircut, I couldn't get enough of her. We were together for 6 years.