snipped for space, not a misquote! *grin*
I just realize that, as I am a very physical/outdoorsy/active person, I would go crazy if I had to spend the rest of my life with someone who not only wouldn't do those things with me but ultimately kept me from doing those things b/c he got upset everytime I did them without him. Plus, I'm looking for a life partner - someone I can do things with throughout our lives. A relationship doesn't seem so appealing if you each have distinctily different interests and don't get to do much together. Doing an activity with someone I love whether it be something like ballroom dancing or martial arts or hiking or swimming or whatever is always ten times better than either doing it by myself or god forbid - doing it when my SO makes me feel guilty about it. (intentionally or otherwise) Is it wrong to want to date someone who shares at least some of these activities? (and obviously I don't want a clone - I'd hope he would have interests he could open me up to as well!)
Now that’s a healthy attitude I can agree with. I understand the issue with the parent’s incompatible interests all too well. I wouldn’t want that for myself. Personally, I like to share some aspects of my life (no clones for me either- that would be scary!), but I need *me* time as well. I’ve found it works well (in past relationships) to have things we generally do separate, but not necessarily always and vice versa. When the ex and I danced, we rarely danced with others- if you know East Coast Swing, that might give you a clue as to why *grin* - but most often we had time set aside for separate interests and friends.
She played bass in a local band, and I didn’t groupie or hang about in practices. That was her time. Likewise, she didn’t hang on me while I was reading or road tripping (though I wouldn’t have minded, now and again). But hiking together and taking pictures together when we went on trips absolutely rocked. *grin* I want something like that again- not the exact same thing, but that easy companionship. Not guilt trips or nagging, either one. Share enough interests to enjoy together, have enough separate to keep growing- that’s what I want out of a relationship. Well, *part* of what I want. *grin*