When it comes to couples, there are basically three types. First, there’s the codependent duo -- you know, the ones who can’t finish a sentence without talking about their other half, let alone go anywhere solo. Then there’s the opposite: Let’s call them the “Hello, Goodnight” couple, because that’s about all they share. These perplexing pairs are living completely separate lives, which makes you wonder, Is this just to save on rent? And somewhere in between falls the semiautonomous twosomes. They might not be attached at the hip, but they’re sharing a lot more than a mortgage.
According to experts, it's surprisingly not just the latter who are normal and healthy. All three types can work. “What’s right for one couple could be disastrous for another,” says Bree Maresca-Kramer, mental-health counselor and author of It’s That Simple! A Woman’s Book on Relationships, Life, Ourselves and the Healing of It All. “As long as both partners are comfortable with the way they do things -- and there’s good communication and a close emotional bond -- almost any situation can work.” Still, there are some separations that can slowly chip away at your relationship. Read on to see what works and what takes it too far.
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