Hubby and I skipped that part. He wanted to make that promise because at the time only I played, but I thought if only he did, my failure to do so would appear obvious. As things turned out, we're glad he didn't promise to forsake.
We made that commitment believing it had nothing to do with sexual fidelity.
I believe that we in our poly family are less likely to cheat because we already have sexual variety within the family.
Conversations about nonmonogamy and even the practice thereof should begin before marriage. It's too important to leave a deal-breaker topic until after the deal is struck.
Uh, in a word, "No." No one person is enough. I realized that about myself not being enough before I admitted that one man isn't enough for me. Even more important, I realized being heterosexual was not enough for me.
That one was strong for me, but quickly fell. After experiencing two lovers who knew about each other, it felt right and proper.
Interesting observation. Oddly, we in our family have managed to remain trim, but not monogamous.
Ha, it was! Since hubby and I were going on a two-week honeymoon, I made love with Red (twice) before we left. In a way, nothing out of the ordinary for us, but still, memorable because it affirmed our choices.
Hubby and I, and the other three adults in our poly family are fiercely committed to our family, perhaps because unlike swinging, us being poly helps us through the challenges rather than exposing fault lines. We two of us have a disagreement, the others never take sides. Rather, the two fighting run to another for consolation, and yes, sex. The disagreement quickly dissipates.
1 Corinthians 13 1
Love is patient, love is kind. ...it keeps no record of wrongs.
Great observation! I often say that that I am jealous of my loves, especially hubby, not only having sex with the other women in our family, but also actually being in love with them. It is jealousy, however, that I am addicted to. But it isn't envy, I am actually happy for them both.
Indeed.
There are many things that we have done in our family, individually and jointly, sexually and not. We've always just moved on. No regrets, no apologies.
For the poly us, we are often having fun with him/her as well (especially since we women are bi) when we join in.
Something that hubby and I did together by me setting him with my female friends and acquaintances. It wasn't planned, but among those women were ones who brought out my Lesbian side and became part of our family.
Does anyone think it through this deeply? We just followed our instincts and emotions.
Although David is my husband, we are all spouses and what you say about our union, especially among us women, is particularly true.
A wonderful essay. I hope that you don't mind me adding some personal observations.