1. Keep the communication open. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with your partner is an essential aspect to maintaining a healthy relationship. Don't leave it to your partner to try to figure out your thoughts, or the things you want to have done. He/she is much more likely to respond well if you share your wants and desires with him/her verbally. Communication are comprised of not only talking, but also listening and understanding. Open communication allows both partners to feel respected and understood for who they are.
2. Hold on to each other . Relationships are not perfect and there will always be rough patches along the way. What is important is that as a couple you would learn to compromise; know when to take a stand and when to back down gracefully. Trials and obstacles will definitely come. Remember to stay committed to each other and do not give up.
3. Deal with problems appropriately. Disagreements are part of a healthy relationship. It becomes unhealthy when you do not know how to handle them causing more stress in the relationship. Resolving arguments and solving problems without letting things escalate are skills that need to be mastered for the sake of your relationship.
4. Love yourself. Pursue your interests, hang out with your friends once in a while and spend time with your co-workers sometimes after work. Simply love yourself! Building a relationship is all about considering someone else's feelings as well as your own. Spending a time with yourself and pursuing your interests as an individual gives you the opportunity to contribute something new to the relationship.
5. Respect each other. Keep yourself in check once in a while. There is a tendency for couples to take their partners for granted, because of the long-term relationship that they have. Couples feel so comfortable in each other's company sometimes that they may say or do something inappropriate. Often they learn much later that their partner felt disrespected by what was said or done. Treat your spouse in the same way as you expect to be treated. Every person wants to be loved and respected for who they are.
6. Spend quality time together. Amidst your very busy schedule in work and with your kids, find time to be together and spend intimacy with each other. You might schedule an exclusive vacation to enjoy each other's company, or reserve a table for two in a restaurant and just talk with each other like it was your first date. Whatever it is, the concept is to spend time and rest in each other's presence. Spending quality time with each other allows you to keep the passion burning in your relationship.
Married life is ought to be enjoyed by both couples, and not to be seen as a burden or a block to opportunities. Treasure each other's company, respect one another's desires and interests, and love your partner in the same manner as you love yourself.