What do you think makes a relationship work? What do you think makes a good wife/husband?

Question

Just curious to see what people have to say and their personal experiences.

Answer 1

A relationship, as EVERYONE says, is built on trust. Besides that, you need to be with someone who understands your issues and you understand theirs. You might not necessarily LIKE their issues, but if you are committed to being with them you need to know and accept/find a way to work with them. A relationship should never be 50/50, each partner should give 100% . This is not a business, this is life! A good partner is someone who loves you enough to forgive and someone who loves you enough to intervene when you are not so good and someone who loves you enough to make you feel like you are the only person in the world who gets that kind of love. And you, as the other half, should give that back.

Answer 2

Relationships are hard work. Just alot of work. When you are simply dating, going to dinner, going for a walk, making love, and then moving along... they seemed like they were really easy.

But then as time goes on, your relationship is the first thing that is in your face, showing you your character defects (ready or not) and demand tremendous self honesty in order to be honest with your partner.

A working relationship requires communication. An open dialouge. The willingness to be open and flexable and vulnerable. And the willingness to "eat crow". You need a keen eye for fun, and a commitment to keeping things fresh.

Answer 3

First respect and love, without these two there is no beginning. Going through hard times, when you are working in and through them, helps a marriage if one want to help. This is not a one answer question, because people experience this achievement in many different ways.

Answer 4

Well, I think it somewhat depends on what you like or are looking for or can tolerate etc. Depending on your personality, you might like or need something different than the next person. For me, what made my hubby stand apart was that I knew I was top priority to him. He makes me feel like the most important person in the world. He also encourages me to try new things and pursue my passions, and he tells me when he thinks I'm not being a good person too!

Answer 5

In my case, I think being able to recognize what you are doing wrong. My husband can't do that, I try to "train" him (like ignore everything he says until he understands) but it doesn't work!! I'm a little lenient right now because he's in Iraq, but as soon as he gets home and does it again, he won't get away with it. I love him to death, but I just feel that he ignores somethings. Plus, he takes everything too seriously. I joke about a lot of things and sometimes about us, like for example one day his Marine buddy told him that he doesn't get free lunch chow @ the rifle range on base anymore because he's married. Then he turns to me and says "Hey babe, can we get divorced for like a week so I can get box chow?" It made me so mad, but I got over it because he was joking, then later @ blockbuster I asked if we could rent a movie called "Why Did I Get Married?" and he got PO'd! He just doesn't get it.

Answer 6

Our relationship works, because we talk to each other about everything, good, bad or otherwise. We share everything from housework to cooking. It's just a working relationship, that is working.

Answer 7

I think a good relationship would involve two people who had 'each other's back', willing to support each other (emotionally), two people who trust each other, two people who share a bond that no outside force could break, two people who were able to be honest, be themselves, let down their defenses, willing to communicate, express their affection, accept each other, help each other, and love each other.