Gallery: Wanna Know The Main Secret To A Lasting Marriage?

We love reading about couples like Ann and Harold Thomas. Earlier this year, The Washington Post featured them for being a husband and wife of 50 years---a minor miracle in this day and age. As the article explored the key to having, not only a lasting union, but a fulfilling one, this was revealed:

“How’d they do it? A happy long-term union, the experts seem to agree, hinges in part on pairing up wisely and in part on mastering the skills that foster a healthy marriage… Equally important is choosing (and, of course, being) a solid life partner: Reliable, responsible and honest are a good start. It helps, too, to pick a mate who is resilient in the face of life’s curveballs, says Pepper Schwartz, a sociologist and AARP’s relationships expert. “Someone who will go, ‘Okay, this is the new normal; let’s figure it out.’ Or ‘This is exciting; let’s have an adventure.’ That flexibility, that lack of entitlement to a predictable future, is just a wonderful characteristic.”

So the key to a lasting marriage is choosing a partner who complements you. Not only that, but selecting an individual who is emotionally mature and responsible, and is also resilient. Hmph. Sounds to us like there needs to be a lot more work on establishing a solid bond before jumping a broom.

This got us to thinking. Although these traits will get any two people off to a roaring start, there must be more. And there is. Check out this list of things all couples need in their relationship in order to have a happy and healthy one. Feel free to also share anything you want to add in the comment section too. We’d LOVE to hear them!