20 Secrets Behind Relationships That Last Forever

20 Secrets Behind Relationships That Last Forever

When you fall in love, your dream is for that love to last forever. There’s nothing worse than falling head over heels for someone, only to end up heartbroken and confused about what went wrong, endlessly wondering where you went wrong and how to go back to how things used to be.

So what are the secrets of couples that stay together? How do their relationships stay so strong for so long?

Here are the top 20 secrets behind long lasting couples whose relationships last forever:

1. Remember to kiss hello and goodbye every time

How sweet is it when he has to go to work extra early – but still stops by the bed to kiss you goodbye trying not to wake you up because he can’t help wanting to do it?

That little bit of extra intimate contact as you say good bye at the beginning of the day and hello at the end goes a long way, and keeps the flame of intimacy burning strong in your relationship.

2. Say “I love you” without restraint

When it comes to the 3 little words, more is always better than less. This is one phrase you can’t say too much to each other.

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3. Let fights happen without turning them into world-enders

Sometimes the wrong set of circumstances hit and you and your s/o are going to fight with each other. Just because you’re mad at each other doesn’t mean you don’t love each other, and every fight doesn’t mean that the relationship is ending. Couples that go the distance can rise above petty fights and recognize what’s most important.

More: The 5 most deadly (and common) mistakes that destroy relationships.

4. When he texts or calls you, respond to him (and hold him to the same standard)

No one likes to wait around for their significant other to text or call back. Prompt replies should be the standard, not the exception, and your priority should be keeping in touch with your partner.

5. Don’t make fun of each other

Even if you’re “just joking”, imagine how he’d feel if he heard you. The most important word to keep in mind here is respect – and keeping the respect in your relationship is crucial to it surviving.

6. Understand that every relationship comes with responsibilities

You’re not going to want to do the same thing as your partner all the time. Sometimes, that means doing things you really don’t want to do – like chores, or errands, or going to his stupid work party – just because you know it makes him happy.

7. Don’t be late

How many times have you gotten into a spat or a stupid fight that started because one person was annoyed the other person was late?

If you’re chronically late or unprepared, start getting ready a half hour before you normally would so you don’t upset your partner (or someone else that cares about punctuality). Plus, putting in the effort to be on time means your partner will perk up and put in the effort too.

8. Hold your partner to his side of the bargain – but prioritize what’s important to you

You should absolutely let your partner know which events you really want him to be at and which ones you don’t mind him skipping, and let him be honest with you. Because let’s be honest with each other – spending Christmas with your family is a little more important than attending his friend’s Kentucky Derby party, right?

9. Don’t forget how important it is to ask your partner how their day went

Just because you’ve been together for a long time and you know how his day went without even asking him, it’s still important to ask him. If he feels like you don’t even care what happened to him that day, he’ll feel alone and isolated in the relationship, and that undermines the foundation of even the strongest relationship.

Related: We should bring back these 8 old fashioned dating habits.

10. Don’t fight on vacations

I know it’s a stressful time, and there’s nothing worse than sitting at the airport after a flight has been cancelled or getting to a hotel and finding out it’s a dump.

Oh wait, there is something worse – doing all that and fighting with your partner about it. Make sure to keep calm and avoid fights while you travel to avoid putting a ton of stress into an already stressful situation.

11. Treat each other’s families like, well, family

Becoming bigger and bigger parts of each other’s lives is all about sharing more and more – and what better thing to share than family? If his family knows you think of them as your family too – and vice versa – it strengthen the bonds of your relationship even more.

12. Surprise random gifts mean a lot

Sometimes, this comes down to knowing your partner’s tastes – and exactly what’s going to put a smile on his face at the end of the day. If you know he loves double stuf mint oreos and you bring him home a bag, he knows that he was on your mind all day – and it makes him feel loved.

13. Clear time in the schedule to just spend time with each other

Sometimes, this means saying no to plans you would have otherwise attended – because you and the hubby haven’t had some time to yourselves in too long and you need a night of downtime.

Spending your free time just being together can do wonders for the health of a relationship.

 
More: 9 Things People Who Are Great In Relationships Have In Common.

14. Defend your partner if someone is talking smack about them

It doesn’t matter if you’re the type of person who normally shies away from confrontation and doesn’t like correcting people – you’ve got your partner’s back and they have yours. Don’t let someone else disrespect your partner without standing up for them.

15. Double dates aren’t always the best

There’s nothing better than finding another couple where things just click – you and your partner each like both halves of the other couple, and they feel the same about you. But if things aren’t clicking, and your partner doesn’t like your best friend’s bf, it’s ok to skip the double date rather than force things.

16. Help each other out when you get sick

Sometimes you’re going to get sick, and sometimes your partner is going to come down with something.

When that happens, be ready to head to the grocery store to get them comfort food, or the pharmacy to get them nose drops, even it means cancelling plans for the night. They need you – now’s your time to shine.

17. Help each other out when you get stressed

Maybe his work is imposing some crazy deadline and he’s feeling crunched. Maybe you’ve got 12 projects you’re juggling at once and you don’t know how you’re going to get them all done. If you know that your partner is feeling crunched for time and stressed (or vice versa), it’s time for the less stressed partner to pick up some slack around the house for chores and errands to help each other out.

18. Allow some room for spontaneity in your relationship

Want to make a random ordinary night special? Try booking a last minute dinner reservation for two. Making room for fun and being spontaneous in your relationship is crucial to keeping things fresh and healthy. Another great spontaneity tip – surprise quickies, any time of day.

More: All healthy couples do these 10 things.

19. Keep each other updated about what’s going on

You’re going to your friend’s house to watch your favorite show after work? That’s awesome, you should enjoy, but also remember to let your partner know so he doesn’t wonder where you are and he can make his own plans if he wants. You would want him to extend you the same courtesy.

20. Love each other without reservation

Ok, this one is super simple. Doesn’t make it any less true.

If you loved this article, then check out these other must-see related posts:

10 Habits Of Happy Couples

12 Powerful Habits of Happy Relationships

10 Habits of Couples in Strong and Healthy Relationships

Click here to take our quick (and shockingly accurate) “Are You Meant To Be Together” Quiz right now and find out if you’re really meant to be together forever…

Take The Quiz: Are You Meant To Be Together?

In summary…

The Biggest Secrets To A Relationship That Lasts Forever

  1. Remember to kiss hello and goodbye every time
  2. Say “I love you” without restraint
  3. Let fights happen without turning them into world-enders
  4. When he texts or calls you, respond to him (and hold him to the same standard)
  5. Don’t make fun of each other
  6. Understand that every relationship comes with responsibilities
  7. Don’t be late
  8. Hold your partner to his side of the bargain – but prioritize what’s important to you
  9. Don’t forget how important it is to ask your partner how their day went
  10. Don’t fight on vacations
  11. Treat each other’s families like, well, family
  12. Surprise random gifts mean a lot
  13. Clear time in the schedule to just spend time with each other
  14. Defend your partner if someone is talking smack about them
  15. Double dates aren’t always the best
  16. Help each other out when you get sick
  17. Help each other out when you get stressed
  18. Allow some room for spontaneity in your relationship
  19. Keep each other updated about what’s going on
  20. Love each other without reservation

secrets to a relationship that lasts forever

35 comments… add one
  • Toyo-obong June 15, 2021, 7:39 am

    I love this list. It makes me feel i’m in love.

  • ike November 22, 2020, 5:12 pm

    This mâle me understand things about good relationship

  • Catherine December 13, 2019, 7:25 am

    Wow so awesome

  • steffie June 12, 2018, 6:09 am

    I love this quiz….

  • Lannoh mugoh February 13, 2018, 7:11 am

    This is awesome

  • duanrei riamei December 8, 2016, 4:49 am

    I like dis list a lot.

  • Kingdom December 2, 2016, 3:33 pm

    MY Girlfriend Anyways Kiss Me About 3min And Above ..So Dats Makes Me Love Her More And More

  • francis judith August 30, 2016, 2:33 am

    waoh….,d tips ar DOPE. bt d big quest>>>>can u find a faithful partner?

  • Eagle June 21, 2016, 6:32 am

    i love the above secrets, i feel good when he says good night,or nice day with a kiss.i have always made it a point for nobody while we are out having fun to step or squeeze me, i am sure he is around!

  • Joanne Peters July 22, 2015, 9:37 am

    There are plenty of good tips here!

  • Vanessa Peters July 21, 2015, 9:06 am

    Of course relationships come with responsibilities. The ones that do not work out are the ones where one of the two forgot about that.

  • Jan Ogden July 19, 2015, 1:04 pm

    I love to get surprise gifts and things like that. Once in a while I also return the favor. I do not think it is fair to only be the one getting gifts, I like to give as well.

  • Donna Mackenzie July 18, 2015, 9:21 am

    The kiss “hello” is always something that I have been used to. When I dated a guy that did not do it all the time, it sort of freaked me out. You have to realize that not everyone is the same.

  • Angela Bailey July 17, 2015, 12:09 pm

    ALL very good traits that partners should find in each other.

    • Alison Watson July 19, 2015, 1:14 pm

      yeah, they are. nobody should expect a secret way to have a great relationship, right?

  • Michelle Newman July 16, 2015, 4:38 pm

    Great list. I like that most of them are happening in my relationship right now, it makes me feel good :)

    • Sally Paterson July 18, 2015, 9:46 am

      No real secret though, right? I mean if you are in a good relationship, that is not just about luck or secrets.

  • Sally Randall July 16, 2015, 4:27 pm

    I guess I tend to say I LOVE YOU less because I do not want to wear it out, however I do say it without restraint.

  • Vanessa Sanderson July 16, 2015, 4:01 pm

    My b/f and I just got back from vacation and had a great time. However, we did have a little fight on the way home. That was a long 2.5 hours in the car without talking to each other. It sucked and even though we made up, it sort of “erased” the good vacation.

  • Maria Scott July 10, 2015, 11:54 am

    I love these types of things. They get me motivated to love my man even more when he shows me things like what you see on this list!

  • Rachel Arnold July 10, 2015, 11:16 am

    Great list. I can see what you mean here by secrets. There is no script for a relationship however. The most natural way you keep one going is to just let it play out.

    • Lisa Clarkson July 22, 2015, 10:06 am

      This is true. I hate hearing people whine that things are not going the way they “should” be. How “should” they be going?

  • Donna Paige July 10, 2015, 9:42 am

    Getting defense from a person that is supposed to love you is always nice. There is nothing like getting bashed by someone and watching your man just stand there.

  • Donna Chapman July 10, 2015, 9:32 am

    I hope that any relationship that is a good one lasts forever, but we also need to be a little more realistic than that, right?

    • Wendy Jackson July 10, 2015, 11:26 am

      I think this is a good motivational post, but it might give false hope. Good relationships take work and determination.

  • Diane Payne July 10, 2015, 9:13 am

    Relationships that are going to last forever do not do so without a ton of work from both sides. I read through these comments and many of us have that part figured out. It is real sad when something changes in the man or woman and now you have to switch things up in order to keep things moving smoothly.

  • Virginia Lee July 10, 2015, 9:03 am

    I didn’t think there were any secrets to a long lasting relationship. Thanks!

    • Stephanie Black July 17, 2015, 12:36 pm

      I feel the same way. Just work hard at it and respect one another! Its the best way!

    • Leah Nolan July 21, 2015, 9:59 am

      There are no secrets. It is all about work and dedication to each other!

  • Alison McDonald July 10, 2015, 8:52 am

    I know there is not really any sort of secret to keeping a relationship from falling apart. From what I read here, it sounds like it will just take work from both sides.

  • Sally Marshall July 10, 2015, 8:39 am

    I always ask my b/f how his day was. I think it shows that you are really in tuned with something that is not yourself.

  • Joanne Gray July 9, 2015, 12:56 pm

    These are good secrets :) Each relationship is so different depending on so many things, but the bottom line is that you are going to be doing the work.

  • Virginia Bailey July 9, 2015, 12:42 pm

    Great list! Now if I could only find a man that would do these things :)

    • Megan Blake July 10, 2015, 11:38 am

      I love the list as well. Makes me get all romantic and whatnot!

      • Sophie Powell July 16, 2015, 4:15 pm

        I agree and I love reading through this list.

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