I believe trust is the most important thing in a relationship. But people mistake trust from giving the other person the benefit of the doubt. Your partner needs to earn your trust and show you that they are worthy of it

My approach to trust is a little different because I grew up in a different culture.
When I started dating, people basically trusted each other from the start and then took privileges away if their partner showed to be unworthy.
Then, of course, there is a different side of trust - basic safety.
I never bring a guy home until I ve dated him for at least a couple of months. I also don't tell them where I work. My home and my work are two very important aspects which sustain my life as it is.
I also think that brining your date around friends and family asap is a good idea because sometimes they can pick up on things before we can and dating " publically" let's the other person know that you have an army behind you and if they do something crappy, you are not the only one who knows.
I haven't had many healthy relationships, because I m screwed up and I tend to pick screwed up people too, but what I ve learned is that before you dedicate yourself to another person, it is important to learn about your strengths and your weaknesses and to recognize what is the biggest void you have in your heart and to be sure that you are not trying to fill that void with this new person.
I think everything unhealthy comes from subconsciously and uninitentionally trying to soothe that painful spot through loving another person. It always ends in a disaster.
Some pot holes just can't be filled.

Yeah I think it's true about how it starts with us, addressing our own stuff and just being aware of our own vulnerable spots, so we aren't attracting people who may not be great for us. So, know yourself first and foremost.

My idea of a healthy relationship is pretty forgiving in that I recognize people are complicated and messy, both apart and together. So I would say just know your deal breakers and stick to them. The other stuff, like communication, listening, trust, etc, those are a given in any relationship, whether friends or partners.

Yeah I would say that too. It is a broad question and means many things. Friendship, enjoyment, passion, togetherness. Open honest trustworthy. I think the whole package would be great. I think it is so hard with any relationship. Things can get twisted sometimes.

Open, honest communication, without fear, of being condemned, or anger, being the one doing the condemning. Being supportive...of HEALTHY behaviors, and when the other person's behavior rubs you the wrong way, being adult enough not to say, in codependent fashion, "You make me feel this or that" but rather "When you say or do this or that, I feel this or that". Being understanding. This starts with excellent communication, talking a bit...then listening a lot.

I've been finding that a healthy relationship means your partner will challenge you in ways that help you grow. Not competitiveness but that there is the friction of honesty even when you don't want to admit it, pressure to step out of safezones (fear avoidance) that are holding you back in life and moveforward plus some healthy button pushing to help you learn to uphold good boundaries. xD I used to think a "healthy relationship" wad all support love stuff amd dandelions. I'm finding that can be more enabling than motivating. I think we're meant to helo eachothrr grow and keep from becoming seditary and conplacent.
(at least its my personal preference. I'm kind of an adventure type though)

On the other side of healthy partnership would be both partners having healhy boundaries with one another, establishing regularity of communication (isnt always 100% but some good willingness and consistency is key)
mutual respect and empathy for eachothers emotions without taking responsibility for them, inspiring uplifting and endearing each other as wellas grievinf, crying, sharing upsets and pain.

Also LAUGHTER! So important. Maybe some people dont like to laugh but I can't imagine staying sane without it in my relationship.

This is what I'm learning anyways. As always I'm looking forward to understanding more , I didmt have good models for relationships growing up so its tough sometimes. But I feel good about how far I've come.

So many good ones already mentioned by others! I agree that communication and trust are HUGE. Perhaps communication first because I'm not sure you can get to the trust part or any other part (healthily) without good communication, empathy being a part of that. Understanding or at least trying to understand each other and where the other is coming from is a big aspect, as I've found that I am able to respond to things better myself knowing a little background on what my S.O. is saying, why he'd say it, etc. We know that couples can spiral off each other sometimes, and we work very hard on communicating clearly so that we don't respond in a way that missed the point and likely makes things worse (dang spiral!).

Another big thing is commitment. There's a point where you both decide you're in it for the long haul, through thick and thin kind of stuff. Arguments don't always lead to break ups, things each of you found to be irritants may become less of a big deal because you're choosing to push through the smaller things that aren't that important in the grand scheme, to focus on what is important - each other, long-term. Of course it may or may not work out, but relationships are SO impacting that when you know something is what you want, I think you need to commit to making it work, both of you.

I have been reading all of the replies to the question What makes a good relationship? Everyone mentioned trust, forgiveness and strong communication skills all of which seems like a process to be earned through mutual respect.