What Makes a Relationship Strong?

A successful relationship isn’t about having compatibility, but it's about having acceptability, adaptability, and adding value to your partner.

Have you ever wondered what makes a relationship truly successful? Is it having lots in common with your partner? Or is there something else that really matters? 

Last night, my husband and I had dinner with some close friends. We talked about many things, but one topic really made me think: the differences between partners. Some people call these differences "problems," but I prefer to call them "opportunities."

Do you think two people in a relationship need to be the same? Many people believe that having similar interests, hobbies, or beliefs makes a relationship work better. But do you know what I believe? It’s not about being the same or having compatibility. It’s about accepting each other, learning to adapt and adding values to each other.

When I got married, my husband and I were very different. We came from different cultures, spoke different languages, ate different foods, had different interests, and even had different beliefs about God. So, how did we stay married for 21 years successfully? The answer is simple: we accepted each other for who we are and adapted to our differences, and added value to each other.

What does "acceptability" mean? It means embracing your partner as they are, without trying to change them. And what about "adaptability"? It means being willing to adjust and find ways to meet in the middle. For us, these two things were the key to building a strong relationship.

But there’s one more thing that has made our relationship stronger: adding value to each other’s lives. It’s not enough to just coexist or tolerate differences; you need to actively contribute to your partner’s growth. Whether it’s through emotional support, encouragement, or helping them achieve their goals, adding value creates a deeper bond and mutual respect. When both partners strive to uplift each other, the relationship becomes a source of strength and fulfillment for both.

Do differences always mean trouble or problems? Not at all! Differences can actually be opportunities. They help us grow, learn, and see the world from a new perspective. But this growth is only possible if we accept, adapt to each other and have the ability to bring out the best in each other.

So, if you’re in a relationship or thinking about one, remember this: it’s not about how similar you are. It’s about how much you’re willing to accept and adapt, and the ability to bring out the best in each other. Differences aren’t problems, they’re opportunities to grow together.