I agree with you. I have friends who are in sugar relationships. Some are non-physical and simply provide companionship over text or phone. Some are paid tuition or trips around the world.

I also agree that gifts and financial benefits are also a part of a relationship. Interestingly, our love languages were giving and receiving gifts.

My issue is when there's an explicit exchange of money which was the case in her situation. To me, that’s turning an intangible into a tangible in a very direct way. I think things like intimacy, trust, loyalty, are all qualities in a relationship that are built over time. While gifts and financial benefits are factors, I don’t believe they should be the root.

So in an intimate partner, I’d prefer that we were on the same page for this one.