life partner

Today one of my friends told me she hoped I would find a life partner. Should I be upset because I prefer boyfriend to life partner. She is still getting over me being gay so maybe I will let it pass. :shrug:

I would guess that's why she chose the term life partner, it's the reason I call my cousin's partner his partner.

Delete life partner and insert husband, would it have the same meaning? If thats not what you want then let your friend know your not looking for a life partner/husband, just a boyfriend.

Would to God that's the only difference my family had with me. I'm sure they spend all their time praying I'll go straight. They would never spend a minute wishing I'd find a boyfriend, life partner, or anything in between.

i think that is a wonderful thing!

:pals:

peace

would you be upset that one of your friends wishes happiness for you? I would encourage you to look beyond the words and think about her intent. :)

If it's so important to you, you might consider finding a way to talk to her about it which doesn't devalue her intent, yet lets her know that there are distinctions to some people between the different labels.

Good luck in your search! :D

Thanks everyone for replying. Let me clear up what I meant. I think it is unfair that when she is with someone its boyfriend and when she marries it will be husband. For me it is life partner.

is a committed, pleasurable relationship for the rest of your life. How can you be upset by that?

I take it from your post that there was a time when you were not "out" to her. The fact that she's made this statement tells me that she's adjusting to your news of being gay.

Many times many of us forget that what took us a long time ourselves to deal with and to accept can require some adjustment time to those who knew us "before". Many times they don't even have the vocabulary and verbal skills to make that adjustment on the turn of the dime.

To me, I wouldn't just let it pass, I would tell her, "that was a big step I bet for you to say that to me and it meant a lot to me. I am not ready to settle down with anyone yet, so I'm hoping for just a boyfriend at this time and a life partner or spouse later. But the important thing to me is that we are still friends."

As Bette says "you gotta have friends" and it sounds like she values you more than maybe you give her credit for.

My mother always told me, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold."

All the best, DZ.

I'm just joking. I wish for you what happened to me-that you fall in love with your best friend and spend the rest of your lives together. I'm working on 20 years and it only gets better.

Hug your friend and thank her for loving you so much.

Don't hold it against her. I can't stand the term either ("life partner" sounds a little too much like we're in a law firm instead of a relationship), but I think it's the thought that counts.

Sometimes when we come out to straight friends we have to "train" them, so to speak. Her heart's in the right place, and she's trying to adjust to something new and different with someone she cares about (you! :)).