A gentle sincerity between people is just fine

I increasingly believe that relationships that can be maintained long-term are never based on intense love or a lot of effort.
They rely on minimal attacks, minimal confrontation, minimal forcing, and a lot of acceptance and permission.
The hardest part between people is not getting close, but maintaining.
Getting close can be achieved in an instant, perhaps through a late-night deep conversation, a shared experience, or a certain affinity.
But maintaining is a long, subtle practice. It requires not only passion but also boundaries, a sense of proportion, and a little bit of tenderness to forgive each other's imperfections.
I used to think that the quality of a relationship depended on “how close we are.”
Now I believe more that it’s about “how free we are.”
In truly comfortable relationships, there is no emotional blackmail, no tense expectations of “what you should do.”
You can not reply immediately, and I won’t feel anxious; I can withhold explaining my emotions at a moment, and you understand and respect that.
We don’t need to chat every day or share every meal, but occasionally thinking of each other brings a sense of peace.
I like that kind of relationship where we don’t disturb each other easily.
You have your rhythm of life, I have my emotional ups and downs, and we don’t try to change or force each other, but quietly walk alongside.
You don’t ask me why I’ve become quiet, and I don’t blame you for being too busy to notice me. There’s room, silence, and acceptance between us.
This “acceptance” is the gentlest power in a relationship.
It allows you to be imperfect, to sometimes not want socializing, to express genuine emotions, and to not always be strong and dignified.
And I don’t have to pretend to be “easy to get along with” just to avoid disappointing you. We are both being ourselves and accepting each other.
I used to wonder if all relationships require effort and time to nurture.
But now I understand that some relationships last precisely because we don’t try too hard. Without too many expectations, there’s less disappointment.
We don’t cling to each other or drain each other. We simply get close and then keep a distance.
You don’t try to understand all my emotions, and I don’t try to participate in every aspect of your life. But when we meet again, we can naturally talk about old times without reintroducing ourselves.
This kind of relationship is like still water flowing deep.
It has no big ups and downs, no intense rituals, but it’s the kind of presence you think of late at night and feel “thank goodness she’s still there.”
A gentle sincerity between people is just fine.
Not to please, not to maintain, but from the heart, willing to get close without making things difficult for each other.
We don’t need a lot of love, just very little hurt.