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Investing in a RELATIONSHIP

What do we mean exactly by investing in a relationship?

By Adlyne FaithPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Investing in a RELATIONSHIP
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

It was a fine morning at work, and I was in the cafeteria with a friend, having breakfast. The ambience was vibrant, chaperoned by not-so-loud chatters from other colleagues from work who were also treating themselves. Out of nowhere, I found myself asking my friend a question that has been bugging my mind.

‘Hey, how come I have never seen you with a smartphone?’ then, I added teasingly. ‘Could it be that you give them to your girlfriend every time you buy one?’

Of course, it was meant to be a joke, but who knew he would take it seriously? And that’s not just it. His answer, however, halted my thoughts for a while, and all I could think of was, what? Why? What do you mean by that?

‘I can never buy a phone for my girlfriend.’

Now, that was his answer. At first, I thought he was jesting, but looking at his serious face, I knew he was telling the truth, and I was like; Okay, that was unexpected. But why? She is your girlfriend; she has no phone and has no money to buy one, but you can, if you want to.

Now, folks, his answer, is where the topic of today comes in.

‘I cannot invest in my girlfriend.’

Before we resume, do we truly understand the meaning of investing in a relationship?

I am 90% confident that whenever this question comes up, the first thing that comes to mind is; buying my partner something pricey or assisting my mate financially.

'Why should I invest my money in a girl who I am not sure that I am her only one? For all I know, there could be another person other than me.'

That was the reason my friend provided, and this is where the misapprehension comes about. From our insecurities, uncertainties and our new look at love. I was confused for a while; What did he mean by investing in his girlfriend? Was it business or a relationship?

That is the point we tend to overlook. Considering relationships as a sort of business transaction where; 'I have to archive or gain something from my partner to feel loved'. And this 'thing' has to be materialistic and not expressive. I am not saying that expecting something worldly in a relationship is unprompted.

'I like buying gifts for my boyfriend. But I never considered it as an investment. I bought him presents because I wanted to and not because it was an obligation.'

I had asked another colleague from work, and that was her answer.

June 26, 2018, | Anish A R said in one of his blogs; If there is one thing every couple should invest in, it is building emotional capital.

Emotional capital is what investing in a relationship is all about. It is built over time and sustained by a consistent, positive experience. It is the reservoir of accumulated emotional ties and strength which keep relationships going.

Not our insecurities or distrust or anxieties from our forenamed affairs. Maybe we need to borrow a page from Ken Rogers' book when he said;

'Love like you'll never get hurt.'

It does not have to be how much your partner spends on you but how much he emotionally spends with you. It is how much you have put into understanding each one another, and to be there always no matter what. By investing 100% effort into your affinity.

Now that you know, kindly share your opinions and views, on what you understand by the topic above; What do we mean exactly by investing in a relationship?

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About the Creator

Adlyne Faith

There are nightmares, as there are dreams. But there is also a pen , and a curious blank page to be filled. With thoughts that haunts, and imaginations that heals.

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