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Respect each other - Respect in general is crucial in all types of relationships, whether romantic, friendly, or professional. It’s especially important, though, in a romantic relationship to show that you value each other’s opinions and hold your relationship in the highest regard.

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Encourage each other - Lift your partner up, support them in their endeavors, and help them be the best version of themselves. Whether it’s a tiny task or a huge challenge, be sure to show and voice your encouragement, as it can go a long way.

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Maintain personal health and appearance - Oftentimes, for married couples or those in long-term relationships, it’s easy to stop caring about your physical appearance and possibly even your health. Be sure to continue to take care of yourself as you did before the marriage, to the best of your ability.

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Pay attention to each other’s needs - Paying attention to the needs of your partner shows them that you care. While, of course, no one can read the other’s mind, if your partner voices a concern or need, be sure to listen and focus, while keeping your needs and boundaries in mind as well.

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Support each other - There will be times when your partner wants to explore something new. It can be easy to overlook or even dismiss their interests, but to maintain a healthy relationship you should do your best to support them and vice versa.

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Be willing to communicate - Open and honest communication is the key to a successful and happy long-term marriage. Even when fights or disagreements happen, try to keep the long term in mind and be willing to talk and work through the issue with your spouse.

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Don’t try to control each other - In a marriage, there should be two whole, individual people who choose to come together and are better because of it. Remember this and always respect each other's individuality and dreams. Your partner is not your property.

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Defend each other - If someone around you says something bad about your spouse, it’s important to defend them and their good name. Even if you disagree with what your spouse did, you should always clarify that you have his or her back.

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Respect your marriage - In monogamous relationships and marriages, avoid flirting and set boundaries to protect your relationship. If each of you has agreed and committed to be faithful to the other then it’s important you honor this promise. Infidelity can have damaging effects and can result in separation or divorce.

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Show affection often - The affection should continue long after the vows and the wedding day! While it may waver some over time, there should always be some element of it. Physical affection, from a warm hug to a passionate kiss, is an essential part of a marriage.

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Make time for each other - Life can often get in the way of once successful marriages, and things become more complex as the years pass. Prioritize your relationship amidst busy schedules to ensure each person feels important and seen.

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Appreciate each other - Regularly showing gratitude for your partner’s efforts, thoughts, and feelings lets them know you care and don’t take them for granted. Appreciation can be shown in many ways, from cooking a special meal, taking on their least favorite responsibility for the night, or something else entirely.

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Communicate without arguing -

While some conversations might become an argument, it’s important to try and avoid this. Take turns calmly, respectfully, and thoughtfully discussing the issues at hand. Be sure you are also actively listening, not only voicing your concerns.

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Continue to pursue each other - Romance is something that has to be maintained and fostered in order to flourish. Keep the romance alive by continuing to date your partner. From small surprises to date nights or weekend getaways, remind your partner how much you enjoy being married to them.

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Have realistic expectations - If you go in thinking that the hard part is done, you will be sadly mistaken. It’s essential to understand that marriage requires work and lots of compromise to last. Take time in the early stages of being newlyweds and talk through what each of you wants and expects from the other and yourselves.

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Find a hobby together - Shared interests and activities can help strengthen your bond. Take time and explore what mutual interests you have and how those can translate to hobbies. It could be art classes or sports or anything in between.

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Have hobbies for just yourself - While having some things you can do as a couple is important, it’s also important to maintain individual interests in order to foster personal growth. You always want to maintain your identity even when in a marriage.

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Try new things together - Create new experiences to keep your relationship exciting. These experiences will not only allow you to bond as they happen, but they will also build memories that will last a lifetime.

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Don’t stop being friends - In many relationships, partners were friends long before something romantic happened. Remember those days and be sure to always maintain a strong friendship foundation. Your partner should be the person you turn to in hard times and who you trust to confide in.

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Don’t put each other down - Whether to their face or behind their back, it's important to never bad-mouth or put your partner down. Be the one aiming to always lift the other up and avoid criticism. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they say or do, but there’s no need to be a bully.

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Don’t talk negatively about each other - Remember that what you tell to a friend about your partner in a heated, upset moment will remain with them even once the moment passes. This can skew how you or your partner are viewed. Keep grievances private and resolve them with your partner.

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Seek advice from happily married couples - Be sure to rely on your community as well. For example, reach out and learn from friends who already have successful marriages. Ask them for their top tips and see which sound helpful.

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Trust each other -

Trusting one another is so important! From day one, there should be a focus on building and maintaining trust as the cornerstone of your relationship. Without trust, nothing else matters.

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Compromise with each other - Arguments are bound to happen from time to time in a marriage, so be willing to find middle ground in disagreements. Remember that you and your spouse are not enemies. Coming to an agreement is the best way to get both individual’s needs met.

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Be a team - You and your spouse should always view yourself as teammates, standing side by side ‘against’ the world. This is your person, and you should work together to support each other and tackle whatever challenges arise.

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Don’t keep secrets - Maintaining honesty and transparency is crucial for building trust and intimacy in a marriage. Thoughts, feelings, and actions should all be discussed, which will help prevent misunderstandings and keep your connection strong.

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Set goals together - Planning your future as a team allows you to work towards common objectives and also strengthens your partnership. Setting and achieving goals together fosters a sense of shared purpose and commitment.

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Celebrate small victories - Acknowledging and celebrating each other’s achievements, no matter how small, reinforces appreciation and positivity in your relationship. These celebrations create joyful memories and motivate you both to continue supporting each other.

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Spend quality time together -

Engaging in activities in meaningful, mindful, and purposeful ways will draw you and your spouse closer together.

Sources: (Couple Travel the World)

See also: The most unconventional celebrity weddings

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