My bf has anxiety and a history of pretty bad depressive episodes. We’ve been dating for a yr and 2 mos. The biggest thing that I appreciate from him is when he opens up to me to talk about things that he’s struggling with or reasons for how he behaves. we can have hours and hours of conversation until we realize it’s 3am. For all his flaws and mine, the most important thing is to me is that we both have pure intentions and give each other the benefit of the doubt. We really do both love each other, and we both have our own issues. Rather than labeling depression as an illness, it helps me to see it as an issue just like all the other issues that I bring to the relationship that we both have to deal with. It is an issue that takes lots of commitment and patience, but I agree with you— the problems and hardships are what make any relationship interesting, intimate, beautiful, and worthwhile.