I believe that the dynamics of all relationships are very different. Each relationship is unique in the way the partners both see the relationship, and approach it. Having said that, of course there are some basic similarities in many succcessful relationships too.

What i do believe is that because a D/s or BDSM relationship often operates at a much more intense level than one which does not include those kind of activities, the highs are much higher, but the lows can be much lower. Because of this it is also my very firm belief that the non D/s relationship should give the foundation upon which to base the D/s one. By that i do not mean don't go and talk to anyone about BDSM before you have dated them "vanilla" . What i do say is that, in my personal opinion, to operate a successful D/s relationship, you also need to like that person as a person.

For cleo and I we met online, in a D/s chat room, and then went real life soon after. Having done that we both opted to leave our respective long term marriages to be together 24/7. Our relationship is based upon mutual understanding, and I think that we are lucky to have found our soulmates in each other.

Sometimes of course, the relationships which we build are tested to the limit by things over which we have no control: cleo suffered a stroke in 2005, and is now partially disabled. That has meant that we have had to re-adjust our approach to our D/s, but it certainly has not stopped us. As well as that, our committment to each other has never waivered, and we married in 2006. Although our relationship is markedly different from how we both may have envisioned it 5 years ago because of the stroke, it is no less vibrant and we are continually working to make the relationship different, and exciting.

Our own relationship works at many levels: M/s, husband/wife, equals, friends, lovers, you name it.

We are 1, and 2 for the record
Long may it continue.

MG