I can obviously deal with not having it every night but it is pretty darn important to me. My husband and I flirt, kiss  and cuddle all day long, even though we have been together for 9 years. If he isnt grabbing me and stopping me at least 1/2 dozen times in a day I know there is something wrong so I get plenty of both and there is never any expectation or strings attached. If either of us is too tired, not feeling well or whatever it is completely fine with the other to skip it once in a while. I would say though that both cuddling and flirting and sex are as important as the other in our relationship.

 

I do think sex, at least for us, keeps things happier and less tense. It doesnt matter what else is going on our life that is stressing us out, we can always connect at night (or day whenever) and feel good about ourselves as a couple, kwim? Whether thats good or bad it just seems to be something in our marriage that has become an indication that things are still good between us and at the end of the day it makes me feel better knowing that