13 Profound Signs Your Marriage Will Last Forever - Olubunmi Mabel
A Facebook friend recently wrote that she noticed that most of her friends are either separated or divorced.
This is the reality of our times, and it’s a scary one.
Some singles are even skeptical of marriage because of the number of divorces they see and hear about.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
There are many marriages that last a lifetime and stand the test of time.
Marriages, like wine, can get better with age, but only if they have the right ingredients from the start.
And no, it’s not about the grand gestures or the Instagram-worthy moments.
In fact, the longevity of your matrimonial bond might be hinged on those little things that often fly under the radar.
So, here are some key signs your marriage will last:
13 Profound Signs Your Marriage Will Last
1. You Respect Each Other
Respect is a fundamental building block of a lasting marriage.
This isn’t limited to showing politeness or being courteous; it permeates into every aspect of your relationship.
Couples in long-lasting marriages genuinely respect each other, treating each other as equals and appreciating their differences.
If you:
listen attentively when your partner is speaking, valuing their opinion even when it differs from yours.
celebrate their accomplishments
support their goals
show interest in their interests
don’t belittle them or make them feel insignificant
acknowledge your partner’s boundaries
share responsibilities and not leave everything to your partner
grant them the personal space they require, understanding that, even though you’re a couple, you’re still two distinct individuals with your own needs and wants.
And your partner also does all these for you, tell me how your marriage will not last.
Seriously, tell me.
2: Effective Communication
Honestly, I believe there is no issue that cannot be resolved with effective communication.
When couples learn to communicate effectively, they can work through any problem that comes along their way.
In lasting marriages, there’s a culture of open and honest communication without fear of judgment or criticism.
The couple understands the importance of putting their feelings into words and expresses it in an assertive yet non-confrontational way.
They don’t hesitate to talk about the hard stuff and are willing to compromise when they disagree.
Some people shy away from tough conversations, they sweep issues under the rug, and focus on superficial issues.
But when things start to pile up, they split due to irreconcilable differences.
If you and your partner are able to talk about difficult topics without any fear or apprehension, then that’s one of the signs your marriage will last forever.
3: You Have Fun Together
Don’t underestimate the power of laughter and fun in your relationship.
Marriages that last have couples who genuinely enjoy spending time together.
One of the reasons we love being with our friends is because of the fun we have together.
So why should it be any different in a marriage?
If you and your partner are able to find joy in each other’s company, why would you want to ever give that up?
Having fun with each other doesn’t necessarily involve expensive vacations or exotic destinations; it’s how much you enjoy each other’s company in the everyday moments.
It’s how much you are able to make each other laugh, be silly with each other, and even laugh through tough times.
If you’re still able to do that, then count yourself lucky because that’s another sign your marriage will last.
4: Knowing When To Let Go Of The Little Things
One of the lessons I’ve learned in marriage is ”choose your battles wisely.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the little things that do not matter and to fight over them like it’s a life-and-death situation.
But one of the signs your marriage will last is when you’re ready to let go of those issues that don’t really matter.
A couple who learn how to forgive each other for minor mistakes and offenses and allow their relationship to stay strong will surely last.
Because they’re able to focus on the bigger issues and work together to find a solution, instead of letting petty arguments become an obstacle in their way.
Letting go of the little things doesn’t make you weak; it makes you wise!
5: You Share Similar Goals and Values
One of the most enduring threads that hold marriages together is the sharing of similar life goals and values.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have identical interests, hobbies or agree on everything, but rather an agreement on the principles that guide your life especially on topics such as parenting, faith, family values, life goals, and career aspirations.
Imagine if you are a couple with different ideas about raising children or making money.
It’s almost certain that those differences would lead to conflict and eventually end in a divorce.
So, if you and your spouse share similar goals and values, this is one of the signs that your marriage will last forever.
6. Healthy Conflict Resolution
You think couples in lasting marriages don’t have any argument or disagreement?
Of course, they do!
But the difference is that such couples are able to work through their conflict and come out on the other side unscathed.
They know how to handle disagreements without resorting to name-calling or hurtful words.
Also, both partners are not afraid to apologize when they’re wrong.
When one partner makes a mistake, they own up to their errors instead of casting blame on the other person.
This shows that there is no room for pride or ego in the marriage and both partners are willing to put their differences aside in order to make things work.
They focus on resolving the problem at hand, knowing that finding a solution is more important than winning the argument.
7: Regular Quality Time Together
No matter how busy life gets, if couples don’t spend time together, they’ll drift apart.
It’s easy to let life get in the way of spending quality time with each other but couples who make it a priority are the ones whose marriage will last.
Regular quality time together is not just about going out on romantic dates or weekend trips; although those ones have their place, it also about spending time together to connect and just be.
And time together also include talking on phone, chatting online, listening to music or watching a movie together.
It doesn’t have to be something fancy; it just needs to be intentional and regular.
If you’re able to do that, then your marriage has the potential of lasting forever.
8: Trust and Honesty
You can’t build a strong marriage without trust and honesty.
If you and your spouse trust and are honest with each other, you have created a strong foundation that can weather any storm.
Trust is a key ingredient in lasting marriages; it’s about believing and knowing in your heart that no matter what, your partner will always be there for you.
And with honesty comes vulnerability; couples who are open to sharing their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism are more likely to stay together for the long haul.
9: Affection and Intimacy
Affection and intimacy go beyond just physical touch.
It’s about expressing love, care, and appreciation for your partner regularly.
It could be a heartfelt compliment, a warm hug, regular kisses, or simply holding hands.
Regular affection and intimacy are signs that passion is still alive and well in a marriage.
10. You Both Are Adaptable
Change is inevitable, and the ability to adapt to life’s ups and downs is a sign of a strong marriage.
Whether it’s a job loss, a move, problems with kids, or health issues, successful couples navigate these changes together, supporting and encouraging each other along the way.
I wish I could say married life is a bed of roses, but it’s not; sometimes life throws us curveballs and we have to adjust.
Couples who are unable to adjust let these challenges destroy their marriage, whereas couples who are able to roll with the punches and look for solutions will find that their marriage is strong enough to survive anything.
And that’s one of the signs your marriage will last.
11: You’re Each Other’s Biggest Cheerleaders
It takes two people to make a marriage work, but it also takes two people to make sure that things don’t fall apart.
Couples in successful marriages are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.
Instead of competing and trying to one-up each other, they build each other up and promote one another’s dreams.
So if you and your spouse are always there to cheer each other on in the pusuit of your individual goals and dreams, you will last.
12: You Keep Working On Your Marriage
The truth is marriages are not static, they are always evolving.
Couples who understand this will do what’s necessary to make sure their marriage works over the long term.
They won’t take each other for granted; they’ll show appreciation and affection for their partner every day.
They’ll nurture the relationship by working through any tough times that come up and never stop learning.
If you and your spouse do all these things, then there’s no doubt that it’s one of the signs your marriage will last.
13: Patience and Forgiveness
No matter how much you love each other, there will be moments when you’ll drive one another crazy with your flaws and mistakes.
That’s why successful couples practice patience and forgiveness.
They understand that mistakes are part of life and choosing to forgive and let go instead of holding grudges and expecting perfection is a strong sign that your marriage will last.
Yes, they encourage each other to do their best, but they don’t expect perfection from one another.
See, there is no perfect marriage.
But if you and your partner do these thirteen things, then your marriage has a much better chance of surviving for the long haul.
And that’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs your marriage will last and nurture them every day.
It takes work, but it can be done if you both are determined to make it happen.
