The key to any great relationship is to start as great friends. Lust only lasts so long. If you are friends - and can trust and talk with each other - that is what lasts years and years. So start by building a friendship. Then slide it into dating, and that's the type of relationship that will really last.

That's been true in my life - and in the lives of many people I know! How about you? Did your current relationship start out as a friendship first?

The first time my husband spoke to me, was to ask me out on a date.

We are, however, very good friends and always have been.

I think that a couple should always be each other's best friend.

I had met my husband online. We chatted and emailed and then talking over the phone for months before we actually did get to meet.

It was great. We got to get to know each other, and we became good friends before falling into love.

My daughter's chatted with lots of new friends online from all over the world, and that's all I wanted to do as well.

I think it is important to be friends. The friendship deepens as the years go by.

I totally agree with Birdie Being friends first is important but my situation is a little different I met my hubby one weekend and 2 weeks later I was moved in with him and we got married two half years later and we have been married for almost 12 years and we have no plans of getting a divorce because he is a devote Catholic and his family is very strict about divorce. He has also told me he will never get a divorce. but that is my situation not reccommended for all but it worked for me

starting as friends, i have personally always found to be difficult. Especially when as a friend he talks to you about another girl, but i probably only find this hard because im very easily made jealous, which im working on. But i will admit sometime i would rather be best friends with the man i love, rather than a couple because as a couple in my experience if i mess it up, theres no more guy i love, as a friend he forgives me easier. i dont know, i just lose less friends then i do boyfriends.

My hubby and I met when I was in 7th grade and he was in 9th.. We were kind of mean to each other for many years.. but then when we were both a little more grown up we became friends and then started dating. We have been married for almost 13 years now! He is my VERY best friend!! I can tell him anything and everything!! I think it makes a HUGE difference in a relationship to be able to be so completely comfortable with someone!!