In my years of studying people in and out of relationships, there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING that stands out as more important than picking the right person to relationship with.

When we mesh with others in the most fundamental ways, we thrive.

When we are constantly having to battle to get our needs met, to be heard, to assert ourselves, we psychically waste away.

But sometimes, I think this idea is misunderstood, much like much of the sage advice given out about relationships and love.

People think the right person is THE ONE, or some sort of magical creature that will just “get us,” without any effort on our part. That they are a potential singularity amount the billions of people on earth, and finding that needle in a needle stack is a daunting challenge.

And, in some ways, it’s right. That’s what’s so insidious about the idea.

It’s not that they are the only one possible, but it feels like it once we do get it right, and many of us stop looking then. It DOES feel like magic, especially in the early stages, when a word connects us so simply and eagerly, augmented by hormones and lust and such. And each of us is totally unique. There will never be another JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

All true.

But also, not the whole truth.

The Right Partner will sometimes be The Wrong Partner.

Like last night, when my Pet of nearly 6 years realized that I’m not a huge fan of wasabi.

Good thing I had my boobs on display and could jiggle them a bit to remind him of the most important things in life.

Crisis averted!

On a more serious note, though, humans are complex creatures. We have layers and depths created from our many years of living, and SOMETHING is gonna come out (maybe after years, even decades of relationshipping) that is a potential deal breaker.

Or could develop.

• Anger issues related to housework
• Sex and intimacy issues
• Perhaps we get silent and fume in response to feeling humiliated
• Or have major insecurity issues related to _____

And these may never actually come up, until a relationship is long term, when the pressure is greater, and the investment of time and energy is higher.

And, let’s be real.

The shoe is often on the other foot.

Sometimes WE are The Wrong Partner.

For our very own special blend of reasons. And of course, it’s perfectly reasonable when it’s us. Except it’s no more reasonable than when it’s them. We just justify ourselves better (in general).

But even when we are wrong, our Right Partners might just stick around long enough for us to right ourselves, just as we might for them.

Through thick and thin, indeed. As long as thick is not abuse, and thin is not neglect, right?

It’s as simple as “Pick the right partner…”

…And as complex as actually doing that.

It’s looking for the right reactions to share in common, rather than the right movies.

It’s not ignoring red flags because we’re lonely.

It’s not being someone else or less than we are because we “don’t want to scare them off.”

It’s not doing what’s expected, because family.

It is being the right person, too (which is both authentic AND difficult mental work, all at the same time).