SECRETS of a Long-term Relationship  

i specifically like the part "YOU ALSO HAVE NEEDS" it is true. whenever we get involve in a long term relationship we tend to put ourselves last. the other should always come first. what can i say, i guess that's how things really work. or else we end up lonely because of our selfishness.

The biggest secret, is NOT TO HAVE SECRETS!

Basically those are the main ingredients that would make a long term relationship work. I was just reading about a post somewhat similar to this one but she was emphasizing on the honeymoon stage and says that after it the romance dies down. I replied to the poster that communication can be a very big factor for making relationship work and then I was browsing the site and read your post. I think you are saying the truth and these four are the most important in saving a relationship one of these things missing in a relationship would mean failure in a relationship.

RESPECT

This is where love begins and will keep each and everyday of our life worth cheerful, loving and remembering. Respect our partners' decision, his or her dreams, even though sometimes or most of the time unrealistic. Respect specially in the most difficult time of your life, though he/she thought that even you cannot understand the situation... be there to respectfully understand, but after all of these ordeal don't forget that you need to respect yourself too in order to stay everything in balance and never to loose your very own self respect. Here is where you pickup your self that each one of us mean something to everyone.

For those who don't believe in long time relationship, I suggest you believe. My husband and I been there, and the result, we still ended up together and happy. You just really need trust and communication just like what you said.

Well, I guess, you said it all right. But you forgot the word LOVE ... to have a lasting relationship you must love the person you want to be with. Sometimes, we only get into a relationship because he or she can finance all our needs and wants materially. For me, if both of you love each other so much, you can overcome any challenges in your lives.

Hello,
You forgot FRIENDSHIP, without it, you have no relationship. You have to be friends before you can be lovers. Somethings may start to fade alittle in a long term relationship, But, what keeps your love strong and longivity is friendship. RESPECT, you have to respect each other to love one another. And with respect comes trust and honesty. I leave some for someone else. There's much more.....

you have it pretty well covered i think. as a somewhat veteren of the marriage thing (22 years) i think love and marriage requires a lot of work and commitment to that work.

Hello!!
You have started a good discussion and I would like to thank you starting such a nice discussion. You have mentioned important points to make good relations and I would also like to add a few to them.

MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING:
Any relation is not possible without mutual understanding it is not just about compromise but it means much more than that. That how you understand your partner and how you can make them feel comfortable in various conditions.

LOVE:
If you have true love with your partner and you can never have any kind of problems ever and lovers can cross any barriers which comes through their way with happiness and not losing their confidence in each other.

GIVE RESPECT GET LOVE:
One should not think that his or her partner is younger than him or her so they should not respect. It is wrong point of view. They should respect each others feelings and thinking and if you respect the younger you will get their precious love in return.

Where is love in any relationship, this relationship will hold, if love don t exist any relation exist.is simple. When 2 persons love each other, exist all; respect, understanding, trust, faith, everything; so just LOVE, all will come after they love.