How We Made It Five Years!
1 : Start Slow 🐢🌱
A healthy relationship takes time to build. We were friends for 5 months before we started dating. We are best friends first before anything, and we have that foundation to bounce back on during anytime we experience some struggles in our romantic relationship. We got to discover each other in a genuine and no pressure way.
⸻
2 : Stay Firm but Forgive 🛡️💞
Boundaries and self-respect are essential, but so is grace. Being firm means standing up for your needs and values, while forgiveness allows room for growth and healing. Starting our relationship as teens means we were going to GROW together. You cannot grow without making mistakes. We have our non-forgivables, but we talk through, learn from, and forgive as much as we can.
⸻
3 : Appreciate All Phases 🍂🌸⏳
Love and life evolve over time—some phases feel exciting, while others are quiet or hard. We had some phases where we were going to frat parties and sleeping in everyday and phases where we were long distance, job searching, and dealing with being new adults. We had phases of deep love and phases where we felt like we were constantly trying to make things work. Life is a rollercoaster and these phases will not last forever. Find joy in every phase, learn something, and grow together!
⸻
4 : Try New Things 🎨🌍🍲
Exploring new experiences together keeps the relationship fresh and helps you grow as a team. It can be as big as a trip or as simple as cooking a new recipe or learning a hobby together. It helps break routines, sparks laughter, and reminds you to keep learning about each other. Being open to adventure—big or small—builds shared memories and deepens connection. We got to experience small things like camping, or making homemade pasta together for the first time. We also have traveled to new places and tried each others hobbies.
⸻
5 : Don’t Expect Perfection 🚫✨🤖
This is one I struggled with at first. I have very high expectations (which is okay), but your boyfriend cannot read your mind. He has not seen as many romance movies as you and probably doesn’t understand the meaning of grand gestures. So teach him! No one is perfect, and neither is any relationship.
⸻
6 : Don’t Compare 🚫📱👀
Every relationship is unique, and comparing yours to others can be damaging. I was constantly comparing our relationship to friends, thinking their boyfriend was doing more or that date was cuter. That is SO unhealthy. Every relationship is different. And guess what, those relationships I admired have all ended now. Focus on what feels right for you and your partner instead of chasing someone else’s version of love.
⸻
7 : Trust 🧡🔒🤝
Trust is the backbone of any lasting relationship. It takes time to build but can be easily broken, so it requires honesty, reliability, and consistency from both people. Trusting someone can be hard, but constantly doubting your partners intentions is going to drain you and your partner. It’s going to make them feel defeated and like they are not enough. I’ve found that if you don’t have trust, you dont have anything. I knew we had establish trust when we did long distance, and not once did I ever question that my boyfriend was being unfaithful or lying to me.
⸻
8 : Show Appreciation 💌🌟🙌
Feeling seen and valued makes all the difference. Saying “thank you” is SO important. Showing appreciation for gestures both big and small go a long way in keeping love alive. Over time, it’s easy to take each other for granted, but appreciation keeps the relationship emotionally fulfilling. It reminds both people that their efforts matter.
⸻
9 : Communicate 🗣️💬🧠
At first, I hid when I was uncomfortable the something due to fear of being judged or “overly emotional.” But holding it in is going to lead to resentment and the huge fights. I found when fighting we would bring up things from months earlier that were never talked about. But communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about listening, understanding, and responding with care. Healthy communication means being open about your needs and emotions without fear of judgment.
⸻
10 : Be silly! 🤪🌀🎉
Don’t take life so seriously. HAVE FUN!!! Laugh, be goofy, and make weird jokes. Be uniquely you and let your guard down. Do things that make you feel like a kid again. Being silly builds joy and emotional intimacy.
#growingrelationships #relationship #love #growth #betterrelationship
Building a lasting relationship requires intentional effort, patience, and mutual respect. The journey through various relationship phases—from friendship to romantic commitment—lays a foundation that can help couples overcome challenges and deepen their connection. Starting slow allows partners to truly know each other without pressure, fostering genuine understanding and trust. Forgiveness plays a vital role, especially when growing together as individuals and as a couple. Maintaining firm boundaries while offering grace encourages healthy communication and conflict resolution. Appreciating every phase of a relationship, whether exciting or challenging, helps partners adapt and find joy even during difficult times such as long-distance periods or career transitions. Trying new experiences together—whether traveling to new places or exploring hobbies—keeps the relationship fresh, creating shared memories and deepening intimacy. Unrealistic expectations can harm relationships, so accepting imperfections in yourself and your partner helps build a compassionate, supportive environment. Comparing your relationship to others only detracts from your unique bond; focusing on what works best for you both enhances satisfaction and growth. At the core lies trust, built through consistent honesty and reliability, which sustains relationships during trials. Expressing appreciation regularly prevents taking each other for granted and nurtures emotional fulfillment. Healthy communication involves both expressing feelings openly and listening empathetically, which prevents resentment and builds understanding. Finally, embracing fun and silliness strengthens joy and emotional intimacy, reminding couples to enjoy their time together and relax their guard. These principles collectively form a robust framework enabling couples to navigate the complexities of love and build a resilient, loving partnership over time. Incorporating these foundational practices into your relationship routine can significantly increase chances of long-term success, emotional growth, and mutual happiness.
Five years is a milestone. Communication is key, definitely learned that the hard way.