Many important things are learnt too late in life. So when it comes to relationships, we should take seriously the advice of older people who have been happily married all their lives. What do older married couples say about the key to a lifelong, happy relationship?

It can be summarised in one word: Friendship. A partnership is more likely to lead to a happy life together if both partners have similar interests, values and goals.
A romantic relationship begins with romance and physical attraction to each other. Although these are important in bringing two people closer together, they are not the sole basis for a life together. What keeps two people together in love is friendship, the ability to communicate with each other, the willingness to give and take and respect for the other person.

A good partnership does not work without communication. Partners should be able to talk to each other and express their feelings and thoughts to each other. A lack of communication leads to dishonesty, misunderstanding and the faking of false feelings.