How Do You Make A Relationship Last Forever?

My parents have been married for nearly 40 years now, and it never ceases to amaze me at how they’re still so in love with each other after all this time. I use their marriage as a framework for the kind of relationship I want in my life. I’ve always wondered how they did it – spending that much time with the same person and keeping things so fresh. The thing is, it’s about more than just pure love; it also involves a lot of hard work. From what I’ve observed, these are the secrets of couples who make it last forever.

1. They have strong communication. You can never really know how a person’s feeling unless you talk to them about it. Open communication is a must when it comes to a successful relationship. You should be able to talk to your partner about what’s on your mind, and vice versa. When the communication goes, that’s when the relationship is in real trouble.
2. They’re honest with each other. Honesty is important no matter what kind of relationship you’re in. You need to be up front with your partner about everything. The truth may not always be pretty, but it always wins. Plus, wouldn’t you rather know a difficult truth now than find it out later on your own and discover that your partner lied to you?
3. They trust each other. Without trust, a relationship will never last. If one person doesn’t trust the other, it can cause a whirlwind of issues that will never go away no matter how much you try to convince them of your sincerity. It’s the ultimate form of vulnerability and deepens the bond they have with each other.
4. They pick and choose their battles wisely. It’s always normal to get into fights with your partner here and there. You’re not always going to agree with them and naturally, tempers will flare and suddenly, you’re in a full-blown argument. The important thing is to know how to pick and choose your battles. Just because they forgot to clean a few dirty dishes doesn’t mean you need to go and start a fight about it. Some things you just have to let go for the sake of the relationship.
5. They understand that relationships are a two way street. Relationships are give and take. You both have to put in effort to make it work. So, if one person is trying a little harder, then the other person better pick up the slack. Your relationship should ideally be 50/50, but there will be times that it’s 60/40 or even 80/20, depending on what else is going on in your lives. So long as that imbalance isn’t permanent or indicative of larger problems, putting your all into your relationship will pay off bigtime.
6. They accept each other’s flaws. Everyone has their flaws. You may get annoyed by your partner’s imperfections, but you should also be able to accept them, just as they do yours. You shouldn’t try to change them. If you love someone, you love them for all their little quirks that make them the person they are.
7. They take their partner’s feelings into consideration. If you love your significant other, you would never want to see them sad or in pain. It’s important to keep their feelings in mind when you make choices that may affect them. It may not mean that your decisions change, but it will at least allow you to make better choices in a thoughtful way.
8. They push through the rough patches. Life is hard. It’s inevitable to avoid obstacles in a relationship. You need to dig deep and find the strength to fight for the person you love instead of give up when the going gets tough. When you go through struggles together, you’ll come out ten times stronger.
9. They make decisions together. Making decisions together is a huge aspect in any relationship, especially if you’re in it for the long-haul. Being able to agree on life-changing decisions can make or break any couple. You need to think of your partner as your teammate and you need to work together when it comes to decision-making.
10. They make sacrifices for one another. You make sacrifices for the ones you love. In a relationship, there are things you are going to have to give up for the other person. Of course, you should be cognizant of how much you are giving up. You need to feel that they are worth it.
11. They keep the fun alive. Just because you’ve been together for many years doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun. Keep the flame burning and the romance alive. Be spontaneous. Have date night. Go on a trip. Do something fun together once in a while.