I was "normal" when I met my wife. I didn't have my first major manic episode well into our relationship. She gave me the whole "see a doctor or else I'm leaving" thing. I thought about letting her leave because there was nothing wrong with me and I was just having fun. But I knew I loved her and didn't want to lose her so I went and saw a doctor (even though I was angry at her the whole time). Shortly after I saw a doctor and got better with the help of meds she asked me to marry her, so I did. We've been together for 12 years and married for 2. We still have our ups and downs due to my illness but she's told me as long as I stay on my meds and see a therapist whenever I need to she'll stick with me thru thick and thin.