It’s hard to write a list of any sort without pitting one element against another, but I think it’s important to recognize that these three crucial parts of a healthy long-term partnership — intimacy, commitment, and communication — are every bit as crucial to making that partnership flourish.
In my opinion, intimacy is the most important aspect of a relationship. It’s what allows couples to feel close, connected, and understood. Commitment comes in a close second because without it there can be no trust and security. Communication is the third most important facet of any relationship and is crucial for resolving conflicts that arise along the way.
Those who have grown in their relationships realize those three things are vital to attaining real intimacy and love. You can’t truly love someone if you don’t communicate, or can there be commitment or growth. Intimacy must be able to withstand the trials of life. A strong foundation of communication and commitment leads to a healthy relationship based on love, not lust.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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