There is a line in a song by Barenaked Ladies that says “Absence makes the heart grow fungus.” It is a funny take on the famous saying about how being apart makes you desire your partner even more than you might normally do. But the other side of this is implied in that line of the song. If you are emotionally absent, then the relationship can moulder and die.
So, what are some of the ways that absence might make the heart grow fonder?
Forget the annoyances
All of those little things that build up and seem so annoying at the time can be forgotten and even turn nostalgic when time passes. This is one of the reasons that ex-relationships can be remembered as better than actually were. You forget that your partner always left toothpaste all over the sink and how that would drive you crazy.
See how much your partner contributes
With your partner gone, you get a chance to see exactly how much that person actually contributes in the day to day of making your life easier. When my husband went on a business trip, yes it was easier to keep the house clean, but it was also harder running the house and managing the kids all by myself.
Miss your partner
Many times we take it for granted that our partners will be there for us always, like an old comfy sweater or the telephone. We take the other person for granted. But if your partner has to be away, then suddenly you realize that, hey, things aren’t right around here. An absence might help you remember all of the things that you love about your partner. You get a chance to miss the other person, which can remind you of your love.
What do you think? Does absence make the heart grow fonder?
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