In my case, late partner. We were 6 years old, and entered primary school at the same moment. Literally hand in hand at our parents insistence. We hated each other, and never failed to provoke each other during lessons. Secondary school was separate, and he developed a series of crushes on tall blonde anglos with money. After his marriage to a tall blonde anglo girl (also in the same primary school intake) failed, he spent maybe 7-8 years discovering that he needed to learn manners. Preferably good manners, but that took a bit longer. During that time I had a failed marriage with a marine biologist and some very low points in my life.

After that, we met up again and connected. 30+ years later I lost him to a drug-resistant golden staph infection during covid. Still miss the bastard. Even if I did need to teach him not to dictate to me IN MY OWN KITCHEN by pouring a panful of eggs & bacon over him in front of his kids. And he was an Essendon supporter - always a warning sign imo. But I rose to that challenge by embracing Carlton as my team of choice.