CallaFirestormBW -> RE: "mixed" marriages (7/8/2008 11:54:42 AM)
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I've only married once, and been in one long-term poly-based relationship that has gone through some restructuring but with always at least 2 of the original members present. Here's my experience... "mixed" relationships work if the 'vanilla' party is really more "mocha" or "almond crunch"... basically, the most 'vanilla' member of the relationship has had some experience with alternative lifestyles of -some- variation. We had one member in our poly family who wasn't into BDSM, but he'd been active for almost his entire adult life in the GLBT and poly communities. He really -didn't- judge us for our love of scene activities and our kinky preferences. He just considered them a "neighboring" fringe. I contrast this with my ex-husband. I told him from the time we first got together that I was unusual, and explained exactly HOW I was not "Harriet" from "Ozzy and Harriet". I told him I was bi, poly, and kinky. He thought it was great -- until I actually wanted to -continue- any of that stuff while we were married. He didn't have a problem with it per se, but he did have an issue with it happening with -his- wife. We toughed it out for 13 years, with him unhappy with me, and me unhappy with him. It wasn't a matter of not trying -- we did try. I can honestly say that he genuinely tried to understand my chaotic nature and freaky interests, and I tried like -heck- to be the structured, calm, nice vanilla housewife he really wanted... but in the end, it wore both of us down. What's even worse is that we had children in this relationship before we realized that there was no way that we could change enough to make our companion happy-- so we felt compelled to try to work things out that were never meant to be worked out for -years-, when we both would have been healthier if we'd let go. Neither of us could change our inherent natures, and there was only the thinnest line of companionship left between us. Before it could rip both of us apart, I told him that we needed to end things. He agreed. I really believe that this is, at least in part, an inborn nature. I raised three new adults (became adults within the past 5 years) who have such diversity of personality. One of them is highly spiritual and artistic, but not really 'kinky'... he understands it, but isn't really interested in it. OTOH, he'll sermonize you under the table about the nature of alternative spiritual viewpoints and the shape of the Universe and our place in it. One is kinky as all get-out (and has, fortunately, met someone who nurtures her art and her kink), and the last one is a real Boy Scout -- gentle, caring, always prepared, self-starting... but so straight you could use him to mark 'plumb' on a wall. I wouldn't want any of them to have to change their natures to be in a relationship, and I've subtly encouraged them to find people who share their deepest desires, needs, and instincts, because those things can be masked, but they won't change, and being involved with someone who genuinely doesn't understand, appreciate, or wants to change their very nature will only hurt both parties. Calla Firestorm
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