Tina, I've been through the same thing, always feeling like I'm giving more than I'm getting in relationships. It's hard to know what's really going on with you without knowing the specific details, but I have received a couple of really good ideas in therapy, so I'll pass them along, in case they might apply to you.

First, my therapist oftens points out that I'm not good at clearly asking for what I need. When you said that you don't smother, that sounded an awful lot like what I do. You may want to really look at what you are doing, and see if there's something you could do to more clearly articulate your needs. I'm not talking about smothering, or being demanding...just asking.

The second thing is, it has been pointed out to me several times in group therapy that I need to make better choices about who I become involved with. That I seem to invariably pick people who are "takers". In my case, that has a lot to do with not feeling comfortable with receiving things from other people because I don't feel like I deserve it. So another thing you may want to think about is why you are choosing the people you are to try to be friends with.

Well, those are just a couple of thoughts. I can definitely relate to your problem. But one thing I also have learned is that not everyone is like that, and if you keep looking you will find people who are willing to give back as much as you give to them.

*hugs*
Jo

<font color=green> If she spins fast enough then maybe the broken pieces of her heart will stay together, but even a gyroscope can't spin forever</font color=green>