A passionate friendship (aka affectionate friendship) is a nonsexual, nonromantic, emotionally and physically intimate relationship between friends. This friendship serves as a primary relationship, being prioritised either above or on par with other relationships. PFs are more common with relationship anarchists, ace-specs, and aro-specs. It is uncommon for allosexual alloromantics, especially those who aren't relationship anarchists, to experience this type of relationship as they tend not to view their friendships as a primary relationship. Those involved in a PF may be called a passionate friend, passfriend/pashfriend, a PF, or any other terms associated with friendship or partnership that they have agreed upon.
A PF often includes:
- a sudden, unexplainable affinity developing between two people that grows stronger over time
- a relationship that feels naturally occurring from both sides rather than constructed and/or maintained in a one-sided manner
- profound love, caring, trust, and loyalty for one another
- emotional, mental, and physical vulnerability and intimacy
- intense passion matching or surpassing that of the typical romantic relationship that comes and goes while the deep warmth and love remains forever present
- physical touch (hugging, kissing, holding hands, lap laying)
- written and verbal affection ("I love you", "You're the most important person in my life", using pet names)
- always setting aside time and energy for each other's needs
- desiring a lifelong friendship with each other
PFs may also include:
- dating/considering each other partners
- marriage
- living together
- sharing a bed
- raising children or pets together
Vs. Romantic Friendship
Romantic friendship refers to intimate friendships between youth that ended when one or both friends were married. If the romantic friendship did continue after a marriage, it was considered inferior to the married relationship. RFs were common in America and Europe during the 18th and early 19th centuries, however no separate term for them existed until the late 20th century, in review of these relationships of the past. RFs were almost exclusive to same-sex relationships, as intimate cross-sex relationships outside of family or marriage were considered inappropriate.
PFs can exist between members of any gender and can develop during any stage of life. It is never considered inferior to a romantic and/or sexual relationship, nor will it be substituted for one.
Vs. Queerplatonic Partnership
Queerplatonic partnership is an umbrella term for any relationship that blurs the lines between romantic and non-romantic relationships. As such, a passionate friendship could be considered a type of QPR. PFs are specified as nonsexual, often involving emotional and sensual intimacy and passion on par with or above that of a typical romantic relationship, and are always a primary relationship (either above or on par with the most prioritized relationships) of those involved. A QPR can be sexual, somewhat one-sided or having each partner feel a different attraction to the other, and are not always the primary relationship of those involved.
Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_friendship https://thethinkingasexual.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/passionate-friendship/ https://thethinkingasexual.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/differences-between-romantic-friendship-passionate-friendship-and-queerplatonic-friendships/