What Makes A Lasting Relationship

As you know, last week I was away on my summer vacation. It also happened to coincide with the 20th anniversary of when my husband proposed to me. So, as I was digging around in some of the notes and questions that I had been sent, this one also kind of fell into place.

A while back, probably after one of my diatribes about making a marriage work, someone asked me what I thought were the major factors to a lasting relationship. I've been in mine now for 22 years ... and not that it makes me any sort of expert, just someone who likes a challenging topic to write about on these quiet summer nights when I know you guys will be stopping around for a sexy Miniskirt Monday pic in the morning.

I would say, the major factors - because there are so many, and each relationship has varying degrees of depth to them - would be the following:

Trust

Trusting each other to do the right thing for the relationship, the family, the longevity of the relationship, and the person. Trust is one of the hardest things to earn ... and one of the easiest things to lose in any relationship.

Friendship

Being good friends is extremely important in the development of a relationship and adds to the foundation of trust. That's not to say you have to be identical, with identical interests, but you have to "like" your partner, as well as "love." There is a big difference. I'm lucky because I married my best friend, and that friendship has grown even stronger.

Honesty

Without honesty, there can be no trust. It is the cornerstone of a lasting relationship. And while everyone has secrets, there's a big difference in hiding, say, an affair and hiding the receipts from your last dress-shopping excursion. The important part is having the ability to communicate and share the differences in ideas, desires and dreams.

Compassion

You need to have a heart, and understanding and a willingness to open yourself up when most vulnerable.

Kindness/Respect

Really, I think this goes without saying. It's the mortar that holds the foundation in place. I could never be with someone that did not respect who I am, and be supportive of my ambitions, dreams and goals.

Adventure

For me this is important. On the surface, I may look like a pretty average hockey mom/housewife to people, but I relish adventure and it plays a huge role in defining who I am. Without my partner sharing my sense of adventure, the relationship could not evolve constantly. Not to mention how dull life would be without it.

Whew ... my brain hurts now.

Andee     xoxo