Written By | Semeen Ursani

Estimated Reading Time :  3 minutes

They say marriage is an institution, and rightfully so, coming from someone who has been married for over 25 years!

Hi, my name is Semeen, a chemical engineer by education and a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker by choice. It is no surprise that marriage is indeed working, and maintaining a strong, long-lasting marriage; is major work!! By the grace of God, my husband and I have been happily married for over 25 years, and these are the five tips I’d like to share to maintain a strong, healthy, loving relationship. 

Firstly, Communication. 

In essence, this is key! The capability to listen to each other, to be able to understand one another, and to be understood by each other is the essence of solid communication. If open communication is lacking, that strength in a relationship will be lacking. 

Secondly, the ability to forgive and forget. 

This is huge and very difficult to do in a marital relationship. Remember that a marriage is based on mutual love, respect, and sacrifice. Don’t let egos get in the way, and forgive each other’s minor shortcomings and mistakes. Always reflect on why you decided to tie the knot, and remember that you are willing to accept all your merits and flaws! So forgive one another.

Thirdly, marriage is based on respect, love, and trust. 

Understand that there CAN NOT be love without respect. You need to have mutual respect for one another first before you’re able to love each other. A marriage will blossom with proper love and care equally from both the husband and the wife. Trust is also a significant factor here! You have to wholeheartedly trust your spouse and support one another, whether you have the simplest goals in life or different. The important thing is to strike a healthy balance to maintain a loving relationship. 

Fourthly, it’s Patience with a capital P! 

There is a universal saying that Patience is Virtue, and it is true. Patience within yourself and Patience towards your spouse. You need to be extremely patient with one another in all aspects of life. Remember that marriage is not a short 100-meter race, it is a marathon, a lifelong journey, and you need to have the patience to keep it going… 

Lastly, I would say it’s Self-love and having a genuine love for your family and home. 

Working hard, keeping your house clean and organized, having good home-cooked meals, raising well-behaved children, and more are all part and parcel of expressing love for one another and your family, and believe me, all of this speaks volumes about a loving, long-lasting relationship simply because as a couple, as a family, you learn to appreciate each other for all the hard work you are putting in to make your relationship a success.

Also, another huge part of lasting love and marriage is undoubtedly about the physical attraction between a husband and wife. Both should make a constant effort to look clean presentable, look good for each other, and in general take care of themselves. Spending quality time together is also essential, whether going for walks, taking vacations, working out or cooking together, and maybe praying together.  All these factors aid in strengthening your relationship as husband and wife; it revives the love between the couple, which keeps the sparks alive.

Above all, a couple should have faith in themselves and trust that if they want their relationship to last and be strong, they have all the capabilities to do so; it is all within them.