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We’ve been married for 8 years. We love each other deeply, but the passion that once defined our relationship is gone. We barely hold hands, barely kiss, and intimacy feels like a chore. We talk more about bills and schedules than dreams or affection. I know relationships evolve, but I miss the closeness, the spark, the butterflies.
He says he’s happy and doesn’t see a problem, but I feel lonely next to the person I love most.
Can love survive without passion, or is it a sign that our marriage is quietly fading away?

[James Smith]

Okay, James Smith sliding in — and I’ve gotta say, this one hit harder than the time I tried to surprise a date with a romantic home-cooked dinner and accidentally set off my smoke alarm twice. (Pro tip: never confuse “broil” with “bake” — unless your idea of passion involves the fire department showing up mid-meal. 😂)

But seriously, what you’re describing isn’t rare — it’s just rarely talked about. Passion doesn’t always vanish in a loud, dramatic way; sometimes it quietly slips out the back door while routine moves in. You still love each other, but the spark gets buried under the noise of everyday life — work, bills, exhaustion, and autopilot conversations.

Here’s the thing though: love can survive without constant passion, but it struggles without effort. The spark doesn’t just reappear; it’s something you rebuild — intentionally. That could mean trying something new together, surprising each other again, or just talking about something other than responsibilities.

I’ve gotta ask — do you think he’s truly content, or has he just gotten comfortable in the calm while you’re still craving the fire?

[Ethan Morales]

Here’s the honest truth: love can survive without passion, but a marriage that feels like friendship without intimacy is a warning sign, not a neutral evolution.
Passion and closeness aren’t just sparks. They’re signals that you’re still emotionally and physically connected. If one partner is content with just coexisting while the other feels lonely, resentment and distance will grow over time.

You’ve got two choices. Accept the friendship-style marriage, knowing that physical and emotional intimacy may never return, and redefine your expectations. Address it head-on, being clear about what you need: regular affection, physical connection, emotional closeness, not just companionship.

The key is honesty, with yourself and him. If he’s unwilling or uninterested in rekindling the spark, love alone won’t keep you from feeling empty. Passion isn’t frivolous; it’s part of the glue that makes a marriage feel alive.
Ignoring it only turns love into obligation, and that’s a slow fade.

[Lila Hart]

Love can survive without constant passion, but not without effort. The spark fades when connection turns into routine. Try small changes touch more, plan something new together, talk about things other than responsibilities. Passion often comes back when both people make space for it. Tell him you miss the closeness, not to blame, but to rebuild. Love doesn’t die quietly — it just needs attention to breathe again.

[Author]

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