Everybody likes to think that their relationship is ready to withstand the long haul. And while no one knows for sure what the future may hold, there are quite a few clues that can tell you if your partnership is built to last.
INSIDER spoke with relationship experts to find out some key traits that long-lasting relationships have.
You trust each other.
Trust is the cornerstone of any healthy partnership. With it, your relationship can thrive and withstand even the biggest challenges. Without it, you'll be ill-equipped to take on the really tough stuff.
"It is difficult to be vulnerable and share problems with others,"therapist Kimberly Hershenson told INSIDER. "When a partner is able to open up to you, it is important to not break their trust."
This trust means that not only do you avoid blabbing about their childhood secrets when you've had one too many glasses of red wine, but also that you can trust each other not to let the other down.
You have similar goals.
Sometimes a relationship's success isn't determined just by how much work each partner puts in or their personalities. Sometimes it's all up to chance.
If you and your partner have similar goals that would take you to similar places, that is a big factor in determining if you're in it for the long haul, therapist Jim Seibold told INSIDER.
This is a good reminder than you should be having frequent chats about what you want out of the relationship, and life, in regards to kids, marriage, jobs, and location.
You're keeping up your physical intimacy.
It probably goes without saying that being unhappy with your sex life can be a strain on your relationship and could even cause a split. But physical intimacy comes in many forms, all of which are important.
Even if you're not getting it on every single night, showing even the slightest form of physical affection can keep the relationship strong.
"You physically touch each other," Hershenson said. "Whether it's a kiss hello or goodbye, snuggling on the couch, or holding hands. Even non-sexual touching builds connection between partners."
See the rest of the story at Business Insider