1.
“Keep in mind that you are not fighting against your SO during conflicts. You and your SO are up against the issue.”
2.
“I love the quote, ‘I don’t want you to save me, but you can hold my hand while I save myself.’ Support with respect is key.”
3.
“There is no reason to keep score. You are both on the same team. If one (or both) of you start keeping score with things, it is time to evaluate the state of the relationship and why this is occurring. On a related note, all problems can be solved, but not all problems are worth solving.”
4.
“While in a relationship, don’t lose yourself as an individual.”
5.
“If the grass is greener on the other side, try watering yours.”
6.
“Discuss life goals (especially kids) and financial habits before you get married. If one person wants six kids and the other wants to be childless, that’s not going to work. If one person has champagne tastes and spending habits, but you as a couple have a boxed wine budget, then that is a problem. More than one marriage has been ended because one spouse is bad with money and refuses to live within their means.”
7.
“Practice active listening to understand each other better.”
8.
“From Russian Doll: Alan: ‘You promise that if I don’t jump, I will be happy?’ Nadia: ‘No, man, absolutely not, but I can promise you that you will not be alone.'”
9.
“Don’t look for a relationship just for the sake of being in a relationship.”
10.
“A partner is the cherry on top of a cake. The cake is your responsibility. Translation: A good partner can make you happier in life but can never make you happy. It is your own responsibility to have a happy and fulfilling life. The inverse is a little different. A bad partner can ruin your happiness. But it is your own responsibility to (not let a bad cherry ruin your cake) and to not let a bad partner ruin your happiness.”
11.
“Remember to laugh together and keep the romance alive.”
12.
“IDK if it’s considered relationship advice but when I was around 14 and had my first serious relationship, I went to go see my girl in the evening. Before I went out the door, my dad stopped me and said: ‘Son, there’s one thing that you should know and after I tell you I’ll shut up about it… If a girl says “no” that means “no.”‘ I felt really awkward cause it seemed obvious and I felt like my dad saw me as an idiot. 10 years later I still think about that moment and I feel so proud of him for pointing out something that is really important. I feel like simple advice like that is not given often enough.”
13.
“Never take each other for granted; show appreciation often.”
14.
“It takes a hell of a partner to beat no partner at all. Vet carefully and with a clear head: Does this person add to your life? Is being with them an improvement over your regular, solo life? Or are they an effort to be around and to accommodate?”
15.
“Prioritize trust and build a strong foundation of it.”
16.
“I had a coworker who had a very happy marriage. I asked her how she chose her husband. She answered, ‘He was the nicest man I ever met.’ That was an epiphany for me. I went on to marry the nicest man I ever met. We’ve been married for over 30 years. I won the husband lottery.”
17.
“Be each other’s biggest supporter and cheerleader.”
18.
“‘Make time. You’ll always have a million and one things that need your attention, but if you’re going to be with someone, make time for them.’ This advice is from my dad.”
19.
And, finally: “If you take a Coke Zero out of the fridge, put another one back in.”