7. Distance makes the heart grow fonder.
Maintain your own friendships and occasionally have a night out without your significant other. Doing things with the thoughts makes you miss him or her, it also keeps you sane. And, in case the relationship doesn't work out, you'll still have your friends.
8. Sound it out.
In other words: communicate! Talking out the tough subjects—money, religion, fidelity, raising kids—will not be the most fun you've had, but it'll be valuable.
9. Laughter is the best medicine.
Learn to laugh at yourself and at silly mistakes. If he throws your cashmere sweater in the dryer, laughing it off is, in the long run, better than getting angry. It's is just a cashmere sweater, not the end of the world.
10. Keep your eyes on the prize.
Yes, he forgot your co-worker's name for the tenth time, but it probably doesn't mean he doesn't care about you. If you keep your perspective fixed on the goal—to be in a happy, functioning partnership—you're less likely to get tangled up in every minor annoyance. Remember, you both want the same thing
11. Quitters never win.
Find a ritual and keep it alive, no matter what. Whether it's always kissing each other good night, renewing wedding vows every year, sleeping in as late as you want once a month, pick something that makes you both feel good and stick to it, even when you're tempted to skip.
12. When the going gets tough, the tough get going... to therapy.
Studies show that couples who seek counseling during rocky periods are more successful in resolving their issues than those who don't. Whether its from a religious figure, counselor or mental health professional, getting an expert to help sort out strife is as wise as forgoing self-installation and hiring a plumber to put in a new sink.
