The 5 Secrets To Enduring Love

We’re always hearing about the high divorce rate, but what about couples who marry and stay together – happily – forever? Andréa Childs reports

- Andréa Childs

Lasting love isn’t just in fairy tales. Statistically, partners who make it past 10 years are likely to stay together. The secret? Relationship counsellor Barbara Bloomfield says, “Factors that make a good relationship are trust, communication, commitment, shared values and personality.” That older couple holding hands? Chances are, their relationship’s built on these...

1. Trust

“When we think about trust, we think fidelity and affairs, but it’s more than that,” suggests Barbara. “Trust is about your partner being authentic; the person you thought they were and fell in love with. I see couples dealing with secrecy issues – not paying the bond, spending savings on gambling, hiding that they’ve lost their job. The problem is they don’t trust you enough to share who they really are, putting on a mask instead.” Broken trust can only be rebuilt with mutual honesty and forgiveness for past behaviour. “Trust is a relationship cornerstone measured by actions, not words,” says Barbara. “Each time your partner carries out a promise, even if it’s just fixing the bathroom door like they said they would do, they’re building faith in your shared future.”

2 Communication