Monogamy: Is She My One and Only?
Secrets to Compatibility in Lesbian Relationships
By Susan Adams, Founder of Lavender Liaisons
After decades of matchmaking experience, and years
of living and loving within Our Community, I have found the secrets to
successful, functional, monogamous lesbian relationships.
Begin by stating your honest relationship
intentions. If you truly crave a monogamous relationship, then say
so, and let your actions reflect your desires. It's duplicitous and
hurtful to say you want monogamy and then date a different woman
nightly, or spend your weekends in a singles bar. If you desire
diversity in dating, state that as well. Be honest about your
intentions regarding yourself and your partner.
Resist the sex dance until further exploration!
Discover each other slowly and determine your compatibility, before
getting swept away by sensuality. The more cautious your approach, the
better your chances of a successful, long-term, monogamous relationship.
Develop exceptional communication and negotiation
skills. A relationship is all about enjoyable compromise. Learn to
ask for what you want! As women, so many of us get stuck 'giving and
hoping' and don't relax and receive love. Others become self-consumed
and believe that as long as their needs are being met, then all is fine
with their partners—which is not typically the case. Learn to ask the
right questions to determine that your partner is getting her needs met
too. Compromise and communicate.
Outline your deal breakers from the beginning
and discuss them. The most common are: drug or alcohol abuse,
infidelity, jealousy, trust issues, and controlling behavior which is
also a by-product of trust issues. Determine your own list of deal
breakers. What do you absolutely need in a relationship and what will
you not tolerate? Make your list, discuss it and stick to it.
Let go of your painful past. Don't carry your
war wounds into your new relationship. We all have baggage, everyone
does, if you say you don't, then you haven't lived. Dragging
yesterday's pain into today's relationship could be toxic. Give your
new relationship a chance! Don't sabotage it before it blossoms.
Overcome jealousy and insecurity. Jealousy is
a by-product of insecurity. Some of us are more secure than others. If
your new partner is insecure then take the time to discuss this and
reassure her. Jealousy will poison any healthy relationship. It tells
your partner "You don't trust me." How can you build a relationship
without mutual trust?
Another important factor in lesbian compatibility
is type alignment. How do you define yourself? Are you a hardcore
butch or butch-lite? Lipstick femme, sporty femme or androgynous? Or do
you prefer not to be typed? Discover who you are, and who attracts you,
and then align yourself with your compatible counterpart. Have that
honest conversation at the beginning of the relationship and save
months of struggle and ultimate heartache by trying to align
incompatibilities.
With many lesbians, the initial approach is the
most difficult. How do you approach someone attractive and risk
rejection? Some of you are shy. For others, it's too uncomfortable—the
fear of rejection is daunting and you don't try. Or you keep choosing
the same type of woman—the type that is not healthy for the long term.
Once you are provided with an exciting introduction, or muster up the
courage to introduce yourself, make the most of it!
Now that you know the secrets, utilize them!
Ensure compatibility, state your honest intentions, resist the initial
sex dance, communicate and compromise, don't tolerate jealousy,
alcoholism or drug abuse. Leave your painful past behind, discover
yourself and align with your most compatible companion. Then embrace
her, enjoy her, love her and she'll adore and love you!
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About the Author
Susan Adams, founder and CEO of Lavender Liaisons
has 20 years of matchmaking experience. Having successfully arranged a
host of marriages and hundreds of relationships, Susan's experience and
personalized approach has made Lavender Liaisons the most flourishing
lesbian matchmaking company in the San Francisco Bay Area.
She created it with the vision, and the goal, to
reinvent the common practice of matchmaking, and cater it to the
lesbian community. Her service is dedicated to women of courage,
caliber, and commitment. Lavender Liaisons is a customized personalized
service whose mission is to provide lesbians with a safe place to share
their stories, be understood, celebrate each other and fall in love. www.lavenderliaisons.com
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