Love

STRONG BONDS

Marriage is an incredible journey—it’s often filled with enough highs and lows to help us cultivate a strong relationship with our spouse. However, do you ever wonder if your relationship is built on a solid foundation? Experts say the following are signs of a happy, healthy relationship:

1. You Speak Your Mind

Relationships thrive when couples can express themselves freely and honestly. That means no topic is off-limits, and you both feel heard. Consistent communication is vital to building a lasting life together.

2. You Have Your Own Space

Just because you’re in love doesn’t mean you have to spend every moment together. Taking time to pursue your own interests and friendships keeps your relationship fresh and gives you both the opportunity to grow as individuals—even while you’re growing as a couple.

3. You Fight

Disagreements are normal, so if you aren’t fighting, chances are you’re holding back. But when people in healthy relationships fight, they fight productively and fairly. That means avoiding name-calling or put-downs. It also means striving to understand your partner instead of trying to score points. And when you’re wrong? You apologize.

4. You Make Decisions Jointly

You don’t call all the shots—neither does your partner. From what movie to see to where you’re going on vacation, you make decisions together and listen to each other’s concerns and desires.

5. You Find Joy

Healthy relationships are full of laughter and fun. This doesn’t mean you’re giddy every hour of the day—or that your partner doesn’t drive you up the wall sometimes—but it does mean that your life together is mostly happy in sometimes simple ways.

6. You Talk to Your Partner, Not to

Other People

When you have issues and concerns, you share them with your partner, not your neighbors. You’ll always have your friends as a sounding board, of course, but not as a crutch to avoid hard conversations with your significant other.