An unconventional couple has decided that everything in their relationship is governed by a contract, with rules that regulate household chores, finances, emotions, and even their sex life.
Rosie Morrell, 41, and Marcus White, 51, of Dorchester, first drew up the contract in 2016 when they began dating, and have periodically revised it over the years as their relationship evolved.
The contract, signed by both partners, serves as a detailed guide for how they interact with each other, dividing household responsibilities, managing finances and addressing personal traits that could rub off on each other.
Rosie, a sex therapist, takes care of all the cooking and cleaning duties, while Marcus, a life coach, takes care of household maintenance.
The couple also list their personal emotional triggers (such as Marcus’s dislike of raised voices and Rosie’s need for clarity in communication) as part of their effort to prevent tension from escalating.
Rosie Morrell, 41, and Marcus White, 51, of Dorchester, first drew up a contract in 2016 when they began dating.
A unique aspect of their contract focuses on safety after Marcus suffered a business-related fire, and Rosie agreed to only light candles in designated “safe spaces” in her home.
The couple says the contract is an essential part of keeping their relationship healthy, while allowing them to efficiently fulfill the responsibilities and obligations they have towards each other.
Rosie said: ‘When we were drawing up the agreements it seemed a little unromantic at first, but we feel passionately that things need to be cleared up.
“We have a document that we both sign and we modify it during a scheduled meeting. It seems like work, but basically, in all relationships you have to work hard.”
Marcus added: “The core of the contract is really where we want to work things out. There may be things that we both do that we’re not happy with.
“We are a very unique couple and whatever type of relationship you are building, you need to be clear about what you expect from each other. Honesty is at the core of any relationship, so the contract makes it easier.”
The contract also delves into intimate aspects of their relationship. Rosie, who works in the sex industry creating adult content, shared how the contract has helped maintain open communication about sexual needs.
She revealed: ‘On a more intimate level, I do webcam and porn videos and I know that men need to masturbate more than women.’
The contract, signed by both partners, serves as a detailed guide for how they interact with each other, dividing household responsibilities, managing finances and addressing personal traits that could rub off on each other.
Rosie, a sex therapist, takes care of all the cooking and cleaning duties, while Marcus, a life coach, takes care of household maintenance.
The agreement includes a clause that allows Marcus to look at her body while she masturbates, which the couple says helps build trust and avoid secrecy around sexual desires.
Rosie added: “It’s a difficult conversation to have, but it helps us stay honest and remove any stigma.”
Although they were not married, the couple also formalized a financial agreement similar to a prenuptial agreement, maintaining separate bank accounts and documenting their assets to avoid disputes if they separated.
Rosie keeps a spreadsheet of everything they own individually, which they say fosters a sense of security in their relationship.
Marcus said: “We know where we stand financially. A lot of people are afraid to split up because they don’t know how the financial situation is going to work out.”
Rosie added: “I have a spreadsheet of all the things I own and the things I may have bought, and that Marcus may have bought. The level of trust we have is phenomenal because we talk about everything.”
The contract also lists triggers and traits that are known to irritate the couple’s other, and the couple says that highlighting the issues at the root cause, rather than ignoring them, helps resolve tension that might build over time.
Marcus said: ‘I struggle with anger and can be a bit arrogant at times and Rosie doesn’t have those issues, she’s orderly, organised, disciplined and doesn’t think before she speaks, for example.’
Rosie, who works in the sex industry creating adult content, shared how the contract has helped maintain open communication about sexual needs.
Although they were not married, the couple also formalized a financial agreement similar to a prenuptial agreement.
Rosie and Marcus have also launched a political party called ‘We Are All God’, which they say is ‘an extension’ of their relationship.
Rosie added: ‘Marcus is slightly autistic and likes things explained clearly to him, but sometimes I get things wrong and that can really affect him.
‘Then he’ll have a light tone when he answers, so I feel triggered by the tone.
‘Any other couple sweeps those minor details under the rug, but that can end in a fight, so we always look at those minor details.’
Rosie and Marcus have also launched a political party called “We Are All God”, which they say is “an extension” of their relationship, and both stood as candidates in previous elections.
They say that a central part of their party is solving human problems before solving political problems.
Rosie said: “Sex and politics don’t go together, but we believe it’s the only act that creates life. Our party is about changing things and being more open so that politics isn’t so stagnant.”
Marcus added: ‘Politics is not driven by politics, it’s driven by human beings, it’s driven by psychology and if we want to solve politics, we need to solve human nature.’
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