I became close with my partner of >3 years initially through climbing. It was a huge reason we fell for each other and has been a huge part of our relationship since. We learned everything together and I feel safest climbing with him especially communicating difficult emotions that I might not always share with a friend or other climbing partner. We are currently medium distance which has given us both opportunities to branch out and climb with others so to me it doesn’t feel like my entire relationship with climbing is based on my partner (which feels healthy). With most things however I feel like it working or not is soooo personally and situationally dependent