what does a relationship mean to you?

Two people regardless of what they do or how they act, can be themselves without fear of being negatively judged by the other person. At least that is what I feel a perfect relationship is.

My idea of a relationship/love is two people being together that can accept who each other are, both their good and their bad, and together help each other to become more than what they ever would have been, and experience the world together. And to me, if a relationship is fragile enough to be damaged by simple/small things like who they talk to, and what they like to do with themselves, then its not got enough worth. Obviously to say if someone partakes in stuff that harms themselves or others then by all means fight for it to end. And if there is one thing that I don't believe in, its love at first sight. In my own opinion and to no offense, i think its kind of foolish. Love is a flower that is planted and tended to, not bought at a store ( so to say ).

That kind of relationship to me is just a really strong friendship.. like family even. When all you want to do in life is make the smile I think that's the feeling of what it means.

I suppose the main thing I look for is to love someone and be loved in return. Sounds a little clice and corny I know but it's true. Also to be treated the way I'd treat a lover, with mutual respect (meaning we both respect each other and our opinions). Also accepting each other for who we are and sharing hobbies (anime, manga and stuff like that). This would mean we'd have some compatibility. We might not end up liking the same titles and maybe one of us might not be into games or tokusatsu but a fellow anime fan/otaku would be a must. High maintenance/spoiled would be a no for me. I'd love to be in a relationship where we both like to take things at our own pace.

Someone who doesn't need to be talking 24/7. If I love someone, I am usually just fine sitting next to them quietly unless there is actually something we are both interested in talking about or doing. That in conjunction with the other person just being understanding of me is enough.

If you had asked me when I was in a relationship. It would be a very different answer. It would use to be, A love so powerful where they can't live without each other, where you want to be with each other 24/7, Do everything together. Forgive everything, and do anything for each other, over anyone else. Now, I know how toxic of a relationship that is. But at the time, or before you've actually had it. You don't really know it, until the bad repercussions of such a relationship happens. Now. Friends- A small group of close friends. Because I don't see friends, As, 'friends.' I see them as brothers and sisters. A group of people, or person, that I can always count on to be brutally honest, and would have my back as I would there's. I've had such relationships so. It's no impossible. Romantic- Someone that would work to stay healthy with me. Enough things we both like in common that we can do tons of shit together. And more importantly. Be two complete people together, Instead of two people that make each other whole. Because the latter just ends like shit. A relationship where we both go in to give, instead of take. Where we both feel free. As the saying goes, "You must love in such a way that the other person feels free."

A relationship makes both people better. A relationship is, in their own way, a shelter for each other. We all suffer, we all deal with pain. A pain that only love is supposed to heal. I have emotional incapabilities. I've felt so many emotions over the years, but ironically, love has never been one of them. The right woman can change that. Just like a good woman can overlook my negative qualities at initial preference, and see my positives. Keep in mind, I don't mind improving myself, but everyone needs motivation. Why should I bother shedding facial hair for example, which makes me feel somewhat comfortable and confident in appearance, if there is no woman who I can trust to sweep me off of my feet in the first place. I'm not going to rid myself of something that benefits me if there's no payoff for it. So the right woman would make me wish to commit with her, and a good woman should WANT THAT. Considering 98% are scum that would only date a woman for the perks and leave once they're gone. Whereas I'm looking for the woman to commit to. In fact, I would like a woman who might be slightly sporty even if she was mostly an introverted nerd. I need a special kind of woman to find a way to fill an increasingly black void of emotional incapability. As I see both sexes act like total fucking asshats who can't see past their own delusional views and outdated sources of knowledge based on minimal research, I feel even LESS compassion for a race of creatures designed only to hurt others. The right woman can fill in that black void, the 99% of the wrong ones only drive my black void of emotions even further deeper. There are so many events that have gone on in my life that I feel like I've lived longer than I actually fucking have. I feel like I have the emotional age of an old sage, but the emotional insecurity of a 14 year old girl obsessed with Vampire Knight. Great anime BTW. The right woman can help me desire to build and create rather than break, destroy, hurt and hate. Behind every great man is a great woman. I'd shudder to view the world as the first great man w/o a great woman. Yet that may just be the grim reality of it all.