What exactly do people look for in a life partner?

Or a lover?

Can these criteria ever be the same?

Is there ever such a thing as platonic friendship?

When a guy and a girl meet each other, become good friends and over the course of time either party develops romantic feelings towards the other, what is going to happen?

Sounds like a damned silly question but which way's better? Confessing the true feelings and jeopardise the solid friendship already in place between the two or just keeping mum about it?

Relationships are really hard to fathom.