What makes a romantic relationship successful?

I just returned from an aptly titled workshop called, The 'Hows' To A Successful Romantic Relationship. For three hours, I listened intently about how to build the "Ideal Relationship" and how healthy relationships are built on good communication and by settling any unresolved issues with our parents.

The whole thing was pretty cut and dry and the presenter didn't really give a whole lot of leeway for us 'normal folks' to get away with the day-to-day nuances of being in a relationship: the small arguments, annoying in-laws and everything else.

Which makes me think about what makes any relationship work in the first place?

Communication - yes, but also a lot of patience and an ability to appreciate and help the other person work towards their goals. What the speaker left out on was the fact that all of those 'speedbumps' such as the small arguments, difficult situations, etc all lead to making the relationship grow. It isn't just about questioning each other on a continual basis to renew the relationship - sometimes relationships are spurred forward (and can be strengthened if dealt with in the right way) by tiffs and confronting issues that come up time and time again.

Only then can we create balance in our relationships.

And an "ideal relationship"? Hmmm...I'm not sold!

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