A spiritual relationship is not necessarily one in which two people are smiling all the time.  Spiritual means to be above all else, authentic.  Real work can only occur in the presence of rigorous honesty  We all long for that, but we're afraid of communicating honestly with another person because we think they'll leave us if they see who we really are.
Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"
authenticity, friendship, honesty