really interesting to hear that the two of you are happily married without sharing the typical bond of “romantic love”. it’s also not an experience i’ve had fully mutually, and like you said it’s very dominant in the feminine narrative, so i was spoon-fed this notion that it’s the greatest thing i can possibly experience. i don’t know if it’s something i feel fully ready to move past because it’s not something i’ve seen and experienced clearly for myself yet, i’m still curious (though i am currently in an about-to-end relationship where i am seeing its uglier face). but it’s fascinating to hear about your experience of partnership without it