Partners

Given our current long distance relationship, it makes me ponder the ins and outs of why our marriage is so strong and what keeps us happy as a couple. How does this relate to the financial bottom line? In every way! I believe that a couple’s well-being will greatly impact other areas in their lives. Here are a couple of the things that I believe have contributed to our happiness and prosperity as a couple.

Sparks. I believe that chemistry is important. For those readers who don’t know our dating history, we set off sparks for thirteen years before we finally decided it was time to settling down. Those sparks still keep us connected as our intimacy takes on a different level at 6,900 miles apart.

Not Settling. True to our approach to finances, neither of us were willing to settling for less than what we had our hearts set on. We were also smart enough to look around, test the market, and make sure we had a good investment to go after. This has paid off in dividends for both of us.

Communication. This is absolutely key in any relationship. Though we knew each other for many years before eventually becoming a couple, we continue to focus on communication as a key function to our relationship. Some of this is simply knowing when to bring something up, or how not to push each other’s buttons in the wrong way. Working on good communication skills is essential for any couple’s financial and marital health.

Joint & Separate Goals. Having a joint aim as a couple is really important in a healthy couple. While many goals can be non-financially related, a great deal of lifestyle related goals tend to need money to support them. From our experience it is good to establish both goals as a couple and as individuals. This allows us both to get what we want out of our relationship and as individuals.

Collaboration. We are both willing to make sacrifices to reach the goal at hand. Sometimes this means working together and sometimes it means helping the other to reach their goal. Either way it is essential to have that support and commitment to getting what we want out of life.

Support & Commitment. Speaking of those two items, our relationship wouldn’t be what it is without the trust that the other partner will be there through thick and thin, in distance and closeness, in good stock days and bad spending days. It takes faith and trust to make it through as a strong couple.

Overall I can say that in spite of the physical distance between us, I feel that we have a very strong relationship to make it through and reach our goals in the process.

Hopefully these reflections on our relationship will help you to either reinforce these areas in your relationship or keep in mind what is essential when looking for a partner.

Lastly, on a side note I have to mention the issue of partner. Last night I was out with colleagues and a British bloke (guy) said that he didn’t get why people called each other “my partner” rather that wife, husband, spouse, etc when they are in a straight relationship. While I get his point, I also believe that being a good husband or wife means being in a strong partnership. James is my husband through and through, but he is also my partner. I love you dear!

Cheers,

Miel