Article: Relationships can be fun and exciting early on, yet it important to make sure that you and your partner are rooted in respect. Act in ways that demand respect from your partner. Strive to treat each other with respect at all times, even when you are mad at each other. Your partner's wishes, thoughts, and feelings have value. Communicate to your partner that you consider the way they feel. Mutual respect is an important part of making a healthy relationship work. Talk to your partner about creating respect in your relationship. Decide "do's" and "don'ts," such as name calling or sexual touch. You may wish to implement "fair fighting" rules. They are as follows: No degrading language No blaming No yelling No use of force No talk of divorce/breaking up Don't try to tell your partner what they are thinking/experiencing/feeling Stay in the present Take turns speaking Use time outs when necessary A healthy relationship should be one in which you and your partner feel appreciated. Often, relationships are built from many small things added one on top of the other. Find the things your partner does for you and say "thank you." Instead of focusing on mistakes your partner makes, focus on the ways your partner adds to your life. When you notice something, speak out and show your appreciation. Ask your partner how they like to feel appreciated. Write a note or a card, or make an effort to say "thank you" often. Let your partner know how you like to be appreciated. Say, "It means a lot to me when you notice the things I do for you." It's easy to transition from face-to-face time together to digital communication. Yet, sometimes meanings can get lost in translation or non-verbal communication becomes non-existent. Spending quality time together can help strengthen your relationship and increase the bond you and your partner feel together. Find activities that you can do together regularly. It can be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee together each morning or reading together at night. Trying something new together can be a fun and exciting way to spend time together. You don't have to do anything crazy even going out to dinner at a new restaurant or trying a new cuisine can be a fun experience. No one person can fulfill everything and every role for another person. Let your partner have time with friends and family and engage in hobbies. It's important for each person to have their own friends and activities that are enjoyed on their own. While you may want to spend every moment together during the beginning of the relationship, respect each other enough to spend time apart and know that time spent apart doesn't mean anything negative for the relationship. Support your partner in maintaining friendships. Avoid giving up your friends or pressuring your partner to give up friends. It's important to have friends and the emotional support they provide. Likewise, don't allow your partner to dictate whether or not you can see your family. Know that your relationship will likely change. Allow growth for yourself, your partner, and for the relationship itself. Recognize that changes in your relationship are opportunities for new growth. Change is inevitable, so welcome changes and accept that the relationship will adapt. When changes happen, take a deep breath and deal with them one by one.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Create a foundation of respect. Appreciate each other. Spend quality time together. Give each other space. Expect changes.