I am in a long term relationship with a girl I plan to marry. For the first year-ish of my startup it was a slow ramp up to the hours/comittment talked about in these articles. I used to read these articles and feel like I was doing something wrong, or was going to fail, because I did have a healthy life and relationship.

But when we started having real customers and real investors and real competitors.... excuse the pun, shit got real. I've become a classic startup 'cocky jerk' - and I love it. I'm losing my hair faster than otherwise, but I've never felt so alive.

My gf takes the long term perspective. Luckily she started grad school around the same time my work ramped up, so we're both busy. She also knows I have a few years window to really do this (we're 28, want kids in early 30s) so I've got to give it my all. Make the time together really really great when you get a moment, and take a long term perspective. She knows, success or not, when I'm 40 family will be priority #1 and understands I've got a once in a lifetime opportunity for a short window of years.

It works for us, for now. She has 1.5 years left of grad school. But I admit I am super lucky to have found her. :)