Hi....my husband and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary a couple of days ago.
I dont consider myself an expert on relationships but here are a few things that I feel have contributed to my long marriage.
Compatability.....having plenty of interests in common with each other...we have always followed the same sports and watched them together, we have always enjoyed doing things together and would think of going to sport events, or social events with each other before we would even think of going with anyone else. Even in a group, we still kept our partnership and each others needs a priority.
Sense of humour....laugh a lot and laugh together.....realize when something is said as a joke and dont take it seriously and get upset with it.
Communication......talk things out honestly....be prepared to hear things you might not like hearing about yourself and sort out problems without yelling and arguing.....but have an opinion and make sure it is discussed.
Trust and understanding....dont be jealous of your partners friends whether they are of the same sex or the opposite sex.....they do need other people to communicate with, socialize with and enjoy spending time with. It doesnt mean they like or love them more than they love you, they should be allowed to feel comfortable with other people and not think that you dont trust them.
Accept things that you yourself might think is odd, or a little over the top....even though we are partners, doesnt mean that we cant accept some differences...I think I have my BBM obsession in mind here. I know my husband wonders what the bloody hell got me so involved in a movie, but he understands, and doesnt make fun of it, and he knows that I would not tolerate him making fun of it.
Romance....of course.....and that goes thru different stages as the relationship develops......I think the important thing is to make your partner feel attractive and sexy...I often say, "my husband still looks at me like I am still the 17 yr old that he married"....he make me feel special and he lets me know I make him feel special.
Well, I guess thats whats made it work for us.....of course over a period of 39 years, we have had a few rough spots, but we worked out way through them, we have raised two boys and had plenty of problems with them, but we seemed to get stronger with adversity rather than let it weaken us. Familly is the most important thing to both of us and we always stand by each other, and stand up for each other.
