[QUOTE=arabhorse2;4057502]
I disagree with this. My SO has absolutely no interest in horses, except to humor me and go on the VERY occasional trail ride.
He has an all-consuming hobby that I don’t feel I need to join into, as I have no interest in it. I do ask him about it, just as he asks about the horses and various other animals I have.
We have other common ground, and that’s where we truly connect. We make time for each other, and that’s where we strengthen our bond; not by forcing ourselves to pretend to be interested in each other’s hobbies.
Being a supportive spouse/SO doesn’t mean having to force an interest into your passion. It means that they understand, and give you the space to enjoy it.[/QUOTE]
You sound like us, Arabhorse. My husband has zero (zero) interest in my horses. I’m respectful of that and don’t force the issue, but I also stand my ground on it at the same time.
I have my hobbies, he has his hobbies. I’m interested in what he does just because it’s important to him, he’s interested in what I do just because it’s important to me. We could both go more gung-ho for each hobby, but there’s a respect for how much indulgence the other will afford.
So many people seem to think a successful partnership has to be hinged on shared interests, and it’s just not true. We’ve been together since we were teenagers, and we’re in our 30s. I think it’s because both of us feel like we can pursue what interests us without the other getting in the way. I can honestly say I don’t have any regrets or feel like I lost out on oppurtunities in life… and I think he’d say the same.
One day I’m hoping he learns to love the ponies like he learned to love cats. I’m actually sick of being told “driving isn’t a workout” (as I usually have to skip the gym on Saturdays so I can go to the barn), so I’ve told him he WILL drive Vanilla and he can see it’s a respectable isometric upper body workout!
Maybe he’ll enjoy it?