I think trying to define what a successful relationship is can be compared with trying to define what a normal person is. There is no definition. Normal for one person can be totally abnormal for another. I don't consider myself "normal." Do you? Does anybody? What the hell IS normal?
In my opinion, a "successful relationship" can only be defined by whether both parties think it is successful. My marriage is far from perfect, but in both our minds it is successful. Others may look at it and think it is not. I don't really care, because whether they think it is successful or not doesn't matter, as long as we do.
If you loved the person enough to marry them, had kids out of that love and built a family together, it was probably a successful marriage. Whether it continues to be successful is something only the two of you can determine. In other words, just because it doesn't continue to be successful indefinitely doesn't mean that it never was.
"Is a relationship built around one night of wanton lust after consuming a six pack supplied by a complete stranger successful?" Hmm...well, it can be successful, even if temporarily.
