When it comes to measuring the health and closeness of a romantic relationship, there are certain habits and behaviors that can serve as strong indicators.

While no two relationships are identical, there are some common patterns and habits that tend to emerge in healthy, happy couples. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your own relationship or simply gain a better understanding of what makes a solid partnership, read on to learn about some key indicators of a close, successful relationship.

Shared Goals and Values

In any strong relationship, both partners should feel that they are working towards a common goal or shared vision. This could take the form of long-term plans for the future, such as getting married, starting a family, or buying a home together.

However, it could also be more abstract values or beliefs that you both hold, such as a commitment to social justice or a passion for travel and exploration. Whatever the specifics, a sense of shared purpose and values can help strengthen the bond between partners.

Effective Communication

Communication is the foundation of any successful relationship, and healthy couples make an effort to truly listen to one another and express their needs and feelings clearly.

This can involve regular check-ins to see how each person is feeling, active listening to ensure that both partners feel heard and understood, and respectful conflict resolution when disagreements arise. While communication is not always easy, prioritizing it as a couple can help build trust, reduce stress, and maintain a deep connection.

Quality Time Together

For many couples, it can be easy to fall into a routine of simply “being together” without actively engaging in shared experiences or hobbies.

However, spending quality time together – whether it’s trying a new restaurant, taking a trip, or simply having a quiet night in – can help to foster a deeper sense of connection. Great couples make an effort to create and maintain shared traditions, engage in activities that they both enjoy, and make time for intimacy and romance.

Trust and Honesty

A key characteristic of a solid relationship is trust and honesty between partners. This means that both people feel comfortable being completely honest with each other and have faith in one another’s intentions.

Trust can be built through reliable, consistent behavior and open communication, while honesty requires a willingness to be vulnerable with one another and to share both positive and negative feelings. Trust and honesty build a foundation of security and allows couple to share experiences and challenges without fear.

Mutual Support

In any close relationship, it’s essential that partners feel supported by one another.

This support could take many forms, such as offering encouragement to pursue professional goals, providing emotional comfort during tough times, or simply being a sounding board for ideas and concerns. In a healthy couple, each partner is genuinely invested in the other’s well-being and success. This mutual support can also be observed in shared tasks and household responsibilities.

Space and Independence

Even in the context of a close, loving relationship, it’s important for each person to maintain a sense of autonomy and independence.

Healthy couples understand that spending time apart – whether it’s pursuing individual hobbies, spending time with friends, or engaging in solo activities – can actually strengthen the relationship by allowing each partner to maintain their sense of self. Similarly, happy couples make an effort to respect one another’s boundaries and prioritize self-care. By allowing each other space, couples can refresh themselves and bring a stronger and happier self to the relationship.

Laughter and Joy

No relationship is perfect, and even healthy couples will face ups and downs. However, happy couples often find ways to inject humor and joy into their lives, even during tough times.

This could include sharing inside jokes, indulging in a shared sense of humor, or simply finding things to appreciate and enjoy together. Laughter is a powerful tool to defuse tension and bring both partners closer together.

Financial Unity

While money can be a major source of conflict for many couples, strong relationships are often characterized by financial unity and teamwork.

Healthy couples make a conscious effort to manage their finances together, whether that means sharing bank accounts or simply having open, honest conversations about money. They set financial goals, track expenses, prioritize spending together and work collaboratively on solving any financial dilemmas.

Conflict Resolution

No relationship is free from conflict, but happy couples have worked out effective ways to resolve those conflicts that inevitably arise.

They understand that disagreements are normal, and rather than avoid or ignore them, they confront the issues, work on compromise, and actively seek to find a common ground. Healthy couples understand that disagreements are a normal part of every relationship, and take an active, respectful approach toward resolving them.

Gratitude and Appreciation

Finally, a hallmark of a close, successful relationship is mutual gratitude and appreciation. Happy couples make a point of expressing gratitude and acknowledgement about the things their partner does and qualities they admire.

It can be as simple as saying “thank you” when your partner helps with a task around the house, or acknowledging their kindness and specific traits that you admire. Showing gratitude can demonstrate that you see and value your partner, also build deeper trust and happiness in the relationship.