english language & usage stack exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious english language enthusiasts. i am looking for a word to describe a relationship that is romantic as opposed to platonic or familial, and a relationship is mutual as opposed to a crush, but that does not involve physical interaction that is sexual in nature. a romantic relationship of pen pals, or over the internet). for example, such a relationship might involve holding hands …

is love a simple word to make someone happy? is it a word to make someone believe? while romance may lead to some intimacy or vice versa, romance in and of itself, does not create a truly intimate connection with someone. romance is about the gestures, compliments and gifts that may often give your partner butterflies. intimacy is about the real, profound connection you create with your partner—a closeness that brings two people together in a powerful way. some may …

unrequited love is one of the worst things you can experience when falling in love. unrequited means that they don’t feel the same way about you as you do about them. another common cause of unrequited love is when you chase after them, leaving them feeling overwhelmed or wanting to distance themselves from you. normally, this is a red flag showing you that something isn’t quite right in the relationship.

similar to the first point in this list, you know …

it’s a process that requires energy, communication, and desire, an equation that can be difficult to muster in the midst of life’s daily stresses. so, yes, it’s important to find the cadence that works for you and your partner, but consistency and true connection here is the real key. dr. valeria chuba, a clinical sexologist, sex educator, and host of the get sex-smart podcast, agrees that being clear about each others’ needs and expectations is essential for a healthy sex …

something about the mere word “intimacy” evokes an image of not necessarily being in the middle of sex, but at least being in a situation that’s setting the mood for it. at any rate, no matter what you’re imagining specifically, it’s likely aligned to the concept of being intimate with someone, which is a notion many of us regard as first and foremost a physical act. truly connecting with someone calls upon a combination of the four types of intimacy, …