Is there something as a mutually loving relationship?
book from 1986 called "his needs, her needs" by willard harley (revised edition from 2011) I put the year because the book is not politically correct, but I think he gives good, practical advice. harley was a marriage counselor so saving relationships was his life's work.
premise is that needs are NEEDS. just like if you are starving, you will find yourself eating pizza crust out of a dumpster... if your relationship isn't meeting your NEEDS then you are likely to find yourself scrounging for scraps elsewhere.
10 needs in the book: 5 common to men, 5 common to women
although everyone is an individual so your top 5 needs could be from either category.
NEEDS COMMON TO MEN (what they want in a partner)
1. sexual fulfillment
2. physical attractiveness (lady not THOT)
3. recreational companionship
4. domestic support
5. admiration
NEEDS COMMON TO WOMEN (what they want in a partner)
1. financial support
2. affection
3. conversation
4. honesty & openness
5. family commitment
basically, women need to look hot and men need to have money..... so this book is blunt about some relationship essentials.... but some of the other advice isn't so obvious. I never realized recreational companionship was important to men let alone a NEED because it's not a need I have myself.
Just a little frustrated by the silly games girls play now a days when you are dating.
there is another book called "keys to the kingdom" which is written for women about men.... it talks about how men go through phases in life: knight, prince, king.
knight wants adventure.... like to date a lot of different women. adventure and variety are extremely important.
prince may want to settle down with one woman, but he is often focused on building his kingdom, too. attention can be split between his woman and his work.
king is established in his career, so has the most attention for a relationship.
a Don Juan may want to be an adventurous knight permanently, so that's a choice.
women can go through these phases, too.... not sure exactly what they would be called.... but it seems like the "knight" phase for both men and women is greatly expanded due to all the variety from social media. if you meet a girl who is playing silly games..... she is likely in the knight paradigm.