Conclusion

Abstract

A practices approach facilitates understanding of the meanings and experiences of long-term relationships by situating lived lives in their spatio-temporal contexts. We reiterate the value of this approach and focus on three major findings from the Enduring Love? study. The first of these is the mundane nature of relationship work and the importance of time for understanding how such work is valued. The second is concerned with how couples afford particular meanings to love, and what these might reveal about loving and being loved in contemporary times. The third takes the home as its focus and illustrates its significance for the ways couples connect with each other. Throughout, we point to the significance of these findings for policy, practice and academic studies of personal lives.