Marriage is hard work, but it can also be one of the most rewarding things in life. That said, despite all your best efforts to make it work and stick together, sometimes a marriage just can't be saved.
It's sad when that happens, but at the end of the day, we're often left wondering: How was I supposed to know?
What does it take for a marriage to last a lifetime? Here are ten signs that your marriage is built to last!
You've been friends since day one
Studies show that couples who enter wedlock as friends have higher levels of commitment and satisfaction than those who don't get along from early on in their relationship.
You have common interests and passions.
Couples who share a few key interests – like hiking, biking, or dancing – tend to stay together longer than those who don't have anything in common.
Whether they're big or small, shared passions can help keep the spark alive in your relationship and give you something to talk about when things get tough.
You communicate openly and effectively
Good communication is key to any successful relationship, and that goes for marriages, too. If you and your spouse can openly and honestly communicate with each other sharing your thoughts, feelings, and needs without fear of judgment or denial, you're in a good place.
The best thing you can do is listen actively when your spouse speaks and acknowledge their point of view before offering one of your own.
You make time for each other every day, even when times are tough
Marriage takes work, but it's worth doing because there's no better support system in the world than your spouse by your side through thick and thin! Make time for each other no matter how busy life gets.
Schedule weekly date nights, plan weekend getaways, or just sit down together over coffee to talk about what's going on in both of your lives.
You and your spouse communicate well and resolve conflicts in healthy ways
Conflict is a natural part of any relationship, but how you deal with it can make or break your marriage. If you and your spouse can communicate openly and effectively – and resolve conflicts in a healthy way – then you're on the right track.
This includes listening to each other without judgment, acknowledging the other person's feelings, and never resorting to name-calling or physical violence.
You have a mutual understanding about finances
Money is often one of the biggest sources of conflict for couples. If you have a mutual understanding about finances, including who pays for what, how much debt you're comfortable taking on, and whether or not you'll save for it, then you're off to a good start when it comes to building a strong financial future.
You respect your spouse not just for who they are today but for what they were when you first met them almost ten years ago
Respect is vital in any relationship, and it's essential in marriages. If you can still look at your spouse and see the person you fell in love with all those years ago, then you know your marriage is built to last.
You may not always agree on everything, but as long as you have mutual respect for each other, you'll be just fine.
You have a sense of being on the same team, supporting one another in achieving your shared goals.
You are both committed to making your marriage work, no matter what challenges come your way.
If your marriage exhibits most or all of these signs, congratulations! You have a strong foundation that is likely to last a lifetime. However, if you are struggling in any of these areas, don't despair -- there is still time to work on them and make your marriage stronger than ever. Marriage takes effort, but it's definitely worth the fight!
A marriage is built to last when each partner takes responsibility for their actions and willingly gives up their entitlement mentality.
We all make mistakes in life, but the people who live the most fulfilling lives are those who learn from their failings and do not take out their disappointment for the world on others without first sincerely apologizing for wrongdoings and making amends.
The reason marriages fail isn't solely because of poor communication or unrealistic expectations; it's often because one or both spouses refuse to acknowledge that they need to change how they act upon entering into a relationship.
You are still excited to see each other.
You likely spent hours getting ready to see your significant other when you were dating. You may have even put in extra effort to make sure your appearance was up to par.
Now that you're married, you may not always have the energy to do that every day, but you should still take some time out for each other. If you're not excited to see your spouse at the end of a long day, that's a sign things are starting to go downhill.
It is usual for the initial excitement of a relationship to dissipate over time. Still, if you consistently feel apathetic or indifferent towards your spouse, that's definitely not a good sign. It doesn't mean you have to spend all your free time together.
Acceptance of each other's past
One of the biggest tests of a marriage is how well it handles the stress of meeting and getting along with your spouse's family. Most couples will have to deal with some sort of tension or conflict when they first introduce their partner to their family.
Still, if that tension continues or gets worse over time, it can signify that there are bigger underlying issues in the relationship. Similarly, if you and your spouse are uncomfortable around each other's families or make snide comments about them behind their back, that's not a good sign.
Your families should be an extension of your relationship, not a source of constant contention.
If you and your spouse can accept each other's families as they are and find ways to get along, you're off to a good start.
This is how you can identify whether or not your marriage is built to last. If you and your spouse are able to work through these issues, then your relationship will only get stronger over time.