I've been married twice. The first I describe as a starter marriage. No kids. Easy separation financially, heart wrenching emotionally. We remained in contact and recently made full amends after discovering that we have each gone through spiritual awakenings. The second marriage, which produced two wonderful kids, was very much like you described above and certainly counts as a failed marriage that was far from a failure. We have also reconciled (I was an ass hole when I chose to leave because I realized I was not in love and could not survive in that state) and are friends and co-parents.