I think polyamory is totally relevant to this article (and have tagged appropriately). Monogamy is awesome and wonderful for many couples. People couple up for many reasons though. A disposition towards pair bonding seems practical and probably evolved as a survival mechanism. The theadvancedapes has written knowledgeably and eloquently on this subject.

The association of pair bonding with monogamy has had a mostly cultural evolution.

I know men and women who love their partners but are so sexually dissatisfied that it preoccupies them and fills them with longing. It sometimes makes them crazy. I also know gay and straight couples in brilliant open relationships that have lasted for years and years.

I wrote in a blog some time ago, a phrase that comes up a lot,

When I met him [her], I knew he was 80% of what I was looking for, but sometimes the missing 20% is really hard to live without.

The percentages change from person to person, from month to month.

If one is inclined towards multiple partners, living and negotiating honestly with one's partner requires bravery, confidence, trust, and an awareness of power issues within relationships.

Hiding, lying, and deception seems initially to be easier than honesty.

I'd like to say something like "cheating" is a word used by fearful people to avoid listening to their partner's feelings -- but I know the issues are much much more complicated.

I often say, "Every relationship is a deal. The problem is that you don't always know what the deal is."

ecib I wish you a wonderful awesome marriage.

I'd also like to shout out to wasoxygen as I'm interested in was's thoughts on this topic.