What Makes a Good Relationship?

June 23, 2010

It's easy to spot a healthy relationship, but harder to find one for yourself. Earlier this week we talked about marriage myths, and I linked to a list of qualities of a good marriage from the University of Maryland.

Respect, friendship, communication, and shared values top the list, but there are some surprisingly specific ones ("been seriously interested in at least three other possible mates before making their final choice, and have affected 'breakups' in nondestructive ways"). It made me think you all would have lots of ideas about what makes a relationship stand out — in a good way.

From inside or out, what signs tell you a relationship works?

Source: Thinkstock

8 Comments

hibiscus96818 2 years

I agree with all of the above, plus sharing similar values...it's a must for me.

GlowingMoon 2 years

When both people are thriving on all levels in life, and they're content.

nancita 2 years

Being able to keep each other company and make each other laugh. Also, I agree with Girl Jen: a good relationship should make both people's lives more pleasant. As my partner is fond of saying when we're not getting along: remember, we're on the same team.

Girl Jen 2 years

If being in a relationship makes life easier and more pleasant for both parties involved, that's a good relationship. I've seen it happen a couple times.

totygoliguez 2 years

I agree with Skigurl.I think that a good relationship is respect, trust and communication. You can have all the love you want, but if you don't have these things, then, you don't have anything. I think that when you have respect for yourself and significant other you won't allow others to disrespect you.

2 years

You're right, Skigurl. My mother always used to tell me: "Date a lot--that way you'll know what you want and what you don't want for the long haul." It made sense for me.

ladylove004 2 years

Being able to compromise and also being able to forgive and forget... every relationship has it bad points and fights, some worse than others, and no two people can fully agree on everything, so I think that being able to talk things out and consider eachother's points of views, and also being able to let things go if they don't matter that much to you personally make for good, loving and healthy relationships.

skigurl 2 years

-communication -trust -honesty -loyalty -no baggage -laughter -physical attraction While it's specific to say that someone should have had 3 other potential mates is oddly specific, it's a good point - my relationship works (in part) because we know what we want and we have had other people in the past but we've learned from those relationships and know why we love each other...and we verbalize why we love each other a lot Also, we work to keep the relationship healthy, we are honest and communicate, but we also don't have any baggage and it was good timing. Plus, it's also a huge plus if you WANT to spend time with someone...we have balance and hang out with friends and family but my boyfriend always says after a great guys night, he is always excited to come home to me and spend a quiet night at home. And he would always choose me if he had to make a choice, for instance if we had plans then his buddies invited him somewhere. But I've also been flexible so if our plans aren't that crucial, I'll say go out with the guys! It makes him happier when he gets little spurts of guy time every once and awhile, and I recognize that.

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8 Comments