From Time to Time, We Call Each Other Best Friends

Research shows that friendship is the foundation of long-term relationships.

Genuine friendship forms the basis for lasting romantic relationships. In my work with couples, I have observed that partners who maintain a true friendship throughout their marriage are psychologically more resilient during conflicts and report higher overall satisfaction in their relationship. Studies also indicate that people in healthy relationships tend to live longer and happier lives compared to those who live alone or in emotionally and psychologically complex relationships.

Friendship in Marriage

Friendship in marriage is expressed through shared interests, mutual respect, and a genuine enjoyment of each other’s company. Couples who prioritize their friendship:
✔ Spend quality time together.
✔ Engage in meaningful conversations.
✔ Support each other’s personal growth.
✔ Laugh together, share inside jokes, and remain curious about each other’s thoughts and experiences.

Scientific Findings on Friendship in Relationships

Research confirms that couples who consider themselves best friends experience twice the level of life satisfaction compared to those who do not. This friendship serves as a protective shield against stress and conflict, allowing couples to navigate disagreements with respect, empathy, and understanding instead of hostility.

Friendship Requires Conscious Effort

Maintaining friendship in a relationship requires deliberate effort and commitment. It involves:
✔ Impulse control and emotional awareness.
✔ Knowing when to step back and when to stand firm on personal boundaries.
✔ Expressing love, respect, and gratitude in everyday interactions.

Successful couples regularly engage in activities they both enjoy, actively listen, show interest in each other’s daily experiences, and remain emotionally available for meaningful conversations as well as moments of lighthearted fun.

Friendship as a Foundation in Strong Marriages

The strongest marriages I have observed combine romantic love with deep friendship. While passion naturally fluctuates—sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker—friendship provides a stable foundation that sustains the couple’s bond throughout life’s journey.

This friendship-based foundation becomes especially important during life’s major challenges—becoming parents, career changes, or health issues. During such times, practical responsibilities and daily routines take precedence, often pushing passionate romance into the background. However, a solid friendship helps partners stay connected even when circumstances are demanding.

It’s important to remember that long-lasting love grows from true friendship. Partners who nurture this aspect of their relationship tend to build marriages that not only withstand the test of time but also grow and evolve along their individuation journey.

🌟 Wishing everyone to become best friends in their relationships! 😊