Time in a relationship gives both people depth perception. First impressions can be deceiving. It is easy to look like a good person at first but with time, the true character of a person comes out. Hard work must first be applied to you own issues, then the work you put into your relationships will be productive. Too many people put the cart before the horse and try to work out their own issues through a relationship, rather than before it.
Faith is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship.
When all else fails, faith will continue to hold a relationship together and help it to build through the tough times.