i think trust, being open minded, being honest

I so agree with trust. Open communication and not being afraid to talk to them about ANYTHING!

friendship - my partner is my bestfriend.

Common beliefs - uncommon beliefs were ahuge strain on my last relationship, but having common beliefs in this relationship means that I feel I can totally be myself :-)

How do you go about someone constantly dwelling in your past and it was before you met him? How do you deal with that?

I would say communication and trust!

To me, a relationship is a partnership. Like a team. Both partners need to respect each other. And work together. Relationships need constant work, and couples often forget this. Dating or marriage looks easy. Its not always easy, as many of us have learned! There needs to be give and take in relationships. Its not always 50/50 in real life, but I suggest trying to maintain the closest to equal possible. Meaning compromise. Don't keep track. Its not about keeping score, its about helping each other and getting along. Remember, partnership. Like both doing chores around the house together, taking turns doing the grocery shopping, and jointly discussing parenting skills for example. Both people must be willing to grow and change together, no apart. And want to learn to work together as a couple, not two separate people. Yes, you're two separate people still but you have to work as partners. Of course that goes along with common interests, love, trust, honesty, communication, fighting fair, being friends, having chemistry, and lots of other things.

TRUST...being buddies, having fun together!
I remember my first hubby was 16 years my elder and everybody said it would never last...HA...we were married for over 16 years until he passed away of caner...so age, race, whatever matters now...as long as you are happy!

Staying happy with where you're at in life, keeping your own self-esteem intact, remembering to ask how the other person is going - and listen to the response. And remembering there are no perfect relationships, but if you string enough simply perfect moments together, you'll get pretty close!

Can anyone give me any tips to keep my relationship healthy i'm getting married in a couple years and i wanna know what makes a healthy relationship and tips to keep my marriage strong. please mail me if theres any tips

COMMUNICATION - I truly believe with all my heart that without honest and open lines of communication, a relationship rots from the inside out. Well, mine did anyway. With honest and open communication, there is no walking on eggshells around each other's ego's and you can feel safe and confident that you can go to your partner and talk about ANYTHING and not be put down, belittled, ridiculed or written off as an idiot .. both people's feelings, thoughts and suggestions are taken into account.

TRUST - Without trust, you have nothing .. nothing that will last the distance anyway, in my opinion.

SHARING - anything and everything. From the household chores to parenting to .. well, everything. That's what a partnership is all about, isn't it .. two working together towards common goals.

RESPECT & CONSIDERATION - respecting each other's opinions, goals and dreams, everything. When someone is shown respect and consideration, it is one of the greatest gifts you can give them, I reckon.

PASSION - sure in the beginning, passion plays a major part in r'ships. But having lived through a passionless marriage for 5 years, it was horrible. I reckon sexual passion, through ALL it's stages and through the years, CAN be kept alive and I know I will be doing my darnedest to keep it that way in my next r'ship. It IS important, no matter what others tell me .. I believe that without a doubt. A passionless marriage/r'ship is just horrible.

Just my thoughts on it anyway.
Lisa B

I've been trying to figure out how to have healthier relationship both personally and professionally. I've come across some new terms and ideas that I've never noticed in the past. Here is the theory I've been reading about.

Good relationships and communications only exist when people have rapport with each other. Rapport is gained when people talk to each other in the same medium.

60% of the people are visual. 20% are auditory and the other 20% are kinesthetic. In order for understanding to occur, these groups must talk the same language of the other group.

I'm not going to try to go completely into it, but in general, 60% of the people feel comfortable with each other.

The book is called "Instant Rapport" by Michael Brooks. I don't know that I agree with it completely yet. But it was only $14 new and $6 at Half-Price Books. I've read it once and plan to re-read several times.

I do know that I'm in the 20% that are kinesthetic. It helps me to understand how to relate to the other 80% that have always made me feel uncomfortable.

And that makes me feel a lot better about myself.

Open communication is the biggest part of a marriage. My stbx didn't communicate with me at all and after 7yrs of marriage I am finding out all sorts of things...not good.

I will answer this from my experience ..I been married fr 30yrs..and have learned a thing or two over the course of the 30yrs..
God communication, Listen to one another, have respect for one another, put spouse above all others needs( except children) at certain ages..and to not get married becasue he/she was great in bed..becasue if one basis there marriage soley around sex...they are in for a long un happy life..

I would say trst, absolutely communication, being honest, sense of humor, and saving the best of yourself for them you, and not take them for granted.

2 n half years into marriage (excludes 1 year courtship), I have to say communication, respect and growing together. We really know each other after numerous fights, misunderstanding and major miscommunication!
The most important lesson about communication is to listen. We can now hear each other instead of playing to win by attacking the other, being defensive or play victim.
It's the respect and faith, knowing we'll come out better than before, that it's safe to touch on thorny subjects without fear. Listening is important here too.
Finally it is important both must develop and mature together as a couple that will see you through a long-term relationship. Even if you want more space from the relationship, you have to think about when will both of you have quality time first before running off to do your own thing. LOve and light to everyone reading this.