The strongest relationships I have seen are based in mutual respect. Even if you don't always agree with one another a healthy respect that the other is human and therefore has a right to their opinion really is key. However, when that opinion or take on things begins to clip your own wings then it's time to examine things because to me that means they are not affording you the same respect for your views. Relationships are give and take. Some days it seems like more one way than the other. But when it gets to a point that you are giving way more than you are getting on a regular basis. . . time to communicate again.

Relationships are fluid. They change over time depending on the environment (family, careers, etc). If one person in a relationship is unwilling to bend a little in the flow, the other is going to break. Evolving together is the best way to be strong.

Accepting your partner for who and what they are without shame is paramount. My personal take is that if you can be with me between the sheets you can be with me on the streets. You won't do the street time, then you don't get the sheet time. Maybe that sounds harsh, but I could never be with someone who wasn't proud to have me on their arm and vice versa. All the great sex, snuggle time, fabulous discussions, and mental stimulation in the world don't matter a hill of beans to me if you can't take all of those things out in public (well maybe not the actual sex, I don't like getting arrested--LOL) including the affection. If you won't hold my hand in the grocery store, you don't get to hold my hand in the living room. One of my husbands was married to a woman who did this very thing to him for 13 years. It's been a lot of work on my part to fix the damage. He still believes he is somehow not good enough to go to certain functions with me because that was drilled into his head by his ex wife. He's getting much better, though.

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Strengthening a relationship entails a whole lot of sacrifices on both or all parties concerned. The most of which is to establish humility among and between each other. Humility in this sense means not just admitting one's mistakes but also being patient with the other person's weaknesses and imperfections. Knowing that the other person is not self-centered would difuse anger in the other during occassions when mistakes need to be dealt with.

how many husbands did you have, rupali?

Respect has been mentioned as the cornerstone, and it is very true. Respect and of course Love. We all know this, but it never hurts to mention it again: while we need both, for men Respect is the #1 need, and for women it is Love.

thanks for your comment. took note that respect is no. 1 for men...

Respect is #1 for men and for women it is love? I don't agree. For me, its understanding for both.

i do believe trust and open communication is the key in having a strong relationship. for as long as you trust your partner and discuss (calmly, of course) with him/her matters that you don't understand about your relationship, everything will be alright. is there anything in the world you can't resolve through discussing it?

Definitely communication. Once talking goes out the window then both parties loose contact and interest and just don't bother. When people communicate daily and often it brings us closer and keeps us bonded. Trust is another huge factor, without trust a relationship can suffer terribly, it is very important to have trust in a relationship.

I think strengthening the relationship is mutual understanding. It is very important for husband and wife. I too agree communication, love, trust will also bind relationship.

and also a healthy sex life.

-F

I agree with everyone here. There are definitely a lot of factors that will affect the strength or stability of a relationship. For me, it would be mutual respect, understanding and trust. Open communication lines also play a vital role in making a relationship work, so honesty and openness are key components as well.
Lastly, I agree with Farce. A healthy sex life helps keep the romance and the spark alive!

Love, trust, honesty, respect and being responsible is always what makes a relationship last long. If we don't practice having this we'll always end up being left behind. Also communication, a couple should know how to communicate with each other because without this there will always be misunderstanding.

I think what makes a relationship strong is:
honesty
respect
100% support
care
the ability to listen as well as communicate
and just love that person unconditionally
learn that people make mistakes

I agree. You can respect the other and love them but when there is no understanding between two people, communication stalls and then everything starts going downhill. When things start to get bad and the communication is difficult, no amount of love is enough to get the relationship back on track and frankly, respect doesn't go that far in that type of situation either.

Any relationship will grow if you give it both time and effort. You have to sacrifice and think of yourself less. In a relationship, you should think about giving the advantage, not trying to take advantage.

I certainly agree with everybody. Trust, care, respect, love and honesty would truly keep the relationship stronger. Would it be helpful as well if you would treat you partner as your friend?