The article showcases insights from various individuals reflecting on the complexities of relationships, separations, and personal changes over time. Themes arise about the physical intimacy missed after long absences, the necessity of accepting the end of a relationship, and the impact of external opinions on marriages. Many individuals offered wisdom on learning to let go, recognizing personal evolution, and the weight of past decisions on current happiness. Ultimately, it's about understanding oneself and acknowledging that relationships can shift dramatically over time.
"The hardest part was the physical aspect. Even excluding sex, it was beyond words how overwhelming it was to wrap my arms around a lover. A simple kiss was just as overwhelming after not experiencing either for years." -Anonymous, 72, Alaska
"You do not know what you're getting into. But you need to accept when it's time to leave and not look back. And not to be concerned about what your former spouse is doing. It took me years to stop trying to figure out what went wrong. We just did not work with each other." -Anonymous, 63, Colorado
"Communication and commitment. Before I got married, I moved to put my girlfriend through school. I didn't realize until later in life that we moved so she could follow the man she really wanted to be with... Oddly, she never really worked and would live off of me for all of the 20 years of marriage..." -Anonymous, Missouri
"People change. Words hurt. Anything freely given will be taken for granted. Going above and beyond, even once, becomes a baseline for the future." }],
"The hardest part was the physical aspect. Even excluding sex, it was beyond words how overwhelming it was to wrap my arms around a lover. A simple kiss was just as overwhelming after not experiencing either for years." -Anonymous, 72, Alaska
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