Respect and compromise are important to keep a relationship healthy, but the foundation of a good relationship is compatibility.

I agree with Sabrina when she says that two people need to respect each other and be willing to compromise, and 'be on the same level' but there's more to it than that.

Compatibility

The foundation of a good relationship is compatibility. When I say compatibility, I mean common interests, intelligence, sense of humor, life goals, religion or lack thereof, and a number of other things. Without at least some matching in these areas all the respect, compromise and desire-to-settle-down in the world will not make a good relationship.

I think sometimes people fall in lust before determining if they are even compatible with each other, then when the honeymoon is over they wonder why the relationship stinks.

When the initial physical attraction wears off, you don't want to find you're with someone who doesn't get your jokes or doesn't understand why you're passionate about your religion or hobby. If you try to apply respect and compromise to a relationship where two people are mismatched from the beginning, it will be an uphill battle.

Choose Before You Get involved

So if you have the chance to choose carefully before getting involved or falling in love, you'll save yourself a lot of aggravation down the road.

Good relationships start with good choices. Choose someone who is a good match, then and only then can you build something long lasting.

– Vivi