I talk to people all the time about how their relationships are going. “Eh…we fight all the time….we never see each other…they’re too clingy…” is what I often hear. It makes me wonder, what’s the point is in dating? With all the bad habits and complaints I see in the couples around me, sometimes I even wonder if I’m better off being single.

 

Luckily, I have been able to see some very successful relationships filled with happiness and understanding. My grandparents, for example, have been together for 50 years and they are still just as in love with each other as the day they met. By being able to watch them grow and interact as a unit, I can see how fulfilling a relationship can be.. and the kind of habits it takes to get there.

Good Habits Great Relationship-2

When it comes to the relationship between my grandparents, they communicate so well with each other. They are able to talk through issues calmly and rationally without fighting. They understand one another and work together as a team using their words to solve a problem. My grandparents also never stop saying “I love you” even when there is an argument. By communicating their love and listening well, even in conflicts, it’s easier to work with your significant other to resolve issues and build a better relationship.

 

I also notice that time apart really helps strengthen a relationship. The look on my grandfather’s face when my grandma walks through the door after she is out all day doing her own activities melts my heart. The fact that they are able to take time apart to do their own thing, builds healthy boundaries and keeps life interesting for both of you. So, try doing spending some alone time with yourself or go out with your girlfriends.

 

Having a sense of appreciation for one another should be a daily habit with the people you love. My grandpa thanks my grandma for every meal and makes her feel special for all of the kind things she does for him. In return, my grandma praises him for doing tasks around the house like changing the oil in the car or replacing a window. Appreciating what each person brings to a relationship can really make the other person feel special and those feelings will help you get through the frustrations and challenges that are inevitable.

 

Developing habits to make your love last isn’t always easy but it does make your relationship better. Simple things done consistently can help you build the kind of love that I admire in my grandparents and that I think most of us are looking for.


Start 2016 with a fresh outlook on love: meet us at the Winery at La Grange for

our Couples Lunch!