What Makes a Relationship Work?

What makes a relationship work? Is it just the love? Is it the amount of time you spend with each other? Is it the friendship that you have as a foundation? Is it the equal amount of commitment? Is it the fidelity? Is it the faithfulness? Is it the patience? Is it the understanding? Is it the knowing that you're meant to be together? Is it the people surrounding you, the people from whom you draw the extra strength when you feel like giving up? Is it the distance? Is it the number of storms you've weathered? Is it the trust? Is it the sense of fulfillment? What exactly makes a relationship work?

I'm just a girl. I've regretfully broken hearts and had mine broken countless times. I'm no expert when it comes to relationships and I've only dated a handful of guys. But I'd like to believe that by writing this, I'd be able to help those who would be wiling enough to sacrifice their time to sit down and listen to what I have to say. The first thing I'd like to point out is that relationships are never easy. Just in case you didn't fully digest that, I repeat, relationships are never easy. They're arduous, nerve-racking, heart wrenching, time-consuming, and a helluva lot of other things. But in the end, if it works out and you find yourselves happy with each other, then the trips to hell and back are all worth it.

Before you continue reading this article, let me also point out that what I have done in certain cases or how I solved certain problems might have worked out perfectly for me but there is no guarantee whatsoever that it would also work out for you. Just so we're on the same page.

Within each relationship, couples need to understand that it's not all about fun and games. Frequently, you will go through tough times; times that will deliberately push you to the limit of your breaking point. It's not that you don't want it to happen, it just does. All you can ever do is fight for what you have. Don't let it slip away easily because you never know that what you have right now may be the best you'll ever see. Show the other how much worth he/she has to you, show him/her you're not ready to let go, show them you're not going to let go. Every storm is an opportunity to grow- if you can weather it.

When you're going through that downhill stage in your relationship, always remember to fight. It's the effort that counts. Remind him/her why you love them; remember the times where you were at your happiest; remember why you fought so hard in the first place. Bring back those memories to where you made them last- the butterflies, the smiles, the laughter, the love. All you can ever do is prove to him/her how much you love them. And you don't prove that by just walking away; bring back that joy into your relationship. I know how much you really do love to see them smile. Don't