A wealth of guides caters to newly in-love couples. But what about those who have been together for a while or a really long time? A long-term relationship always raises fundamental questions – regardless of whether the partners are in their thirties, forties, or fifties. About two-thirds of all couples feel uncertain in their relationship, grappling – openly or secretly – with the question of whether they want to continue living this way. However, those who give up a long-term relationship, as explained by doctor and bestselling author Werner Bartens, forfeit a treasure trove of shared experiences, familiarity, and intimacy that the couple has built over the years. Moreover, research shows that living together is healthier, happier, and, contrary to what a convinced single might think, involves significantly more sex. Yet, a long relationship also comes with demands: Werner Bartens explains what matters in a true partnership, no matter how old you are. It’s possible to thrive without butterflies in your stomach: in fact, Bartens suggests it might even be better, as you will feel as happy in your long-term relationship as you would have liked to feel at the beginning.