Hello GrizzlyMantooth. If it's any consolation after 4 decades I'm still trying to figure out our relationship LOL.
On a more serious note, the older we get the more we change, both the wife and I. I mean we both have aches and pains in places we didn't even know could ache, our priorities have changed, and even our personalities have changed with aging and experience.
So life is a constant state of change. In order to stay together, you either have to adjust to those changes or be willing to live together miserably. And It takes both parties to make those on going changes. Not necessarily right away, but over time.
My wife is no longer physically afraid of me, even though I'm still quite capable of flying into a rage that would frighten someone who didn't know me, because she knows from experience that she has nothing to fear.
Conversely, while my wife is a wonderful person, she has an extremely difficult time saying that she is sorry for something she did wrong. Which once upon a time used to really bug me. Now I just tease her about it and say " come on now dear I know if you really try hard you can pronounce the word, just sound it out " I' soorry " It doesn't bring a laugh out of her, but it does relieve my tension. On the other hand she sez I say that I'm sorry to easily, better that I not apologize and make fewer mistakes.
Enough rambling for now. Take Care. paul m