Long-term relationships are something many people aspire to have, and as a result, are highly romanticized. Rom-coms, novels, and popular music have filled your mind with some wonderful, picture-perfect, extremely unrealistic expectations of what being in a relationship with someone for a long time is like. Here are some of the most common expectations misconceptions we have of long-term relationships, followed by what actually happens — the not-so-cute, flatulent, text-spamming realities.
1. You aren't afraid to be your true selves around each other.
Expectation: You find out all of the cute, quirky things about your S.O.
Reality: You also find out the not-so-cute stuff.
After all of the walls come down, you start to see all of the things your S.O. so thoughtfully kept from you in the first few months of your relationship: their so-thunderous-it-wakes-the-dead snoring, loud, unashamed burping and farting, and many more strange habits you sometimes wish were still hidden.
2. You talk to each other about everything.
Expectation: You ask each other about their day, complain about things together, and give each other advice.
Reality: There are some things you really just didn't need to know...
Thanks, buddy, but I really didn't need (or want) to know that weird story about your bowel movements.
3. You give each other nicknames.
Expectation: You will like these nicknames and find them endearing.
Reality: Or... Not.
Odds are, you and your S.O. will think up some pretty goofy nicknames for each other, especially after being together for a while. When you used to call each other cute names, you now resort to the most embarrassing, hilarious names you can think of. If you're looking for inspiration, "fartface" is definitely a good place to start.
4. You text each other all the time.
Expectation: Cute texts from your S.O. throughout the day.
Reality: Unnecessary spamming when you don't reply fast enough.
You do receive texts throughout the day from your S.O., but if you take too long to reply or accidentally forget to text them back, you might receive a series of messages like the ones above.
5. You know each other's families really well.
Expectation: Your S.O. loves hanging out with your fam, and vice versa.
Reality: Your fam likes your S.O. more than they like you.
Though you're happy that your family approves of your S.O., it really grinds your gears when your family is nicer to your S.O. than they are to you. WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON, ANYWAY?
6. You know each other's favorite foods.
Expectation: Ordering takeout and having cute date nights.
Reality: Getting hangry if your S.O. doesn't feed you quickly enough.
There's a delicate, short timeframe between, "Hey, I'm hungry," and, "I'M GOING TO RIP YOUR HEAD OFF!" Whenever you're in a grumpy mood, your S.O. knows that, odds are, you're probably just hungry.
7. Borrowing your S.O.'s clothes.
Expectation: They find your clothing thievery adorable.
Reality: It's not cute anymore. And, they really, really want their favorite shirt back.
There's only so many clothing items that you can "accidentally borrow" from your S.O. until they decide it's not cute anymore and they want them back. Oops.
8. You get along all the time.
Expectation: You and your S.O. agree on everything and rarely ever argue.
Reality: You know exactly how to get on each other's nerves, and you take great joy in it.
From tickle fights to silly arguments, these interactions almost always end in hysterical laughter. You love to pick on each other — it's how you show your affection!
9. Reality: You wouldn't trade your "stupid fartface" S.O. for anyone.
In spite of the fact that your long-term relationship doesn't always meet the expectations of every rom-com you've ever seen, you are immensely thankful for your S.O. You don't need a huge fantasy relationship. You'll take your quirky, playful relationship over a clichéd fairy tale any day.
