To be intimate with someone, whether a lover, a friend, a spouse, or child, is to be close. When we are close in a relationship, we get to see the details of a person’s attitudes and behaviors: both their strengths and weaknesses.
In our more casual relationships, it’s easier for everyone to put their best selves forward, but in our long term intimate relationships, bad habits and weaknesses do get exposed. This is why my guides say, “Part of the purpose of an intimate relationship is to give criticism.” True loving is wanting growth and self-actualization for ourselves and others: and who best to give feedback than those who are up close and personal?
