One of the main factors that inhibits my keeping in regular touch with my long-standing friends is the presence in their lives of their partners.

Whenever one of my friends gets into a reasonably serious relationship, I think – consciously or subconsciously – that our friendship has become a relatively low priority. I am happy for my friends that they’re happy, I usually like their choice of partners, I still want to see them… But their lives get busier (I always assume) and I always find myself thinking that I don’t dare to make demands on their time.