What is the number one thing in a marriage?

Asked by: Ms. Rhoda Hansen  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (14 votes)

While there's no single answer, the most crucial elements for a strong marriage consistently cited by experts and couples are open communication, trust, mutual respect, and commitment, forming a foundation for support, intimacy, and shared growth through challenges. Positive communication, in particular, is often called the bedrock, enabling partners to express needs, resolve conflicts, and feel understood.

What's the most important thing in a marriage?

10 Must-Haves Your Marriage Can't Live Without

  • Mutual Submission. ...
  • Kindness. ...
  • Daily communication. ...
  • Sexual Intimacy. ...
  • Non-Sexual Physical Touch. ...
  • Trust. A marriage cannot survive without trust. ...
  • Forgiveness. Every marriage goes through difficult seasons. ...
  • Foundation of Faith. I believe this is the most important one of all.

What is the #1 issue in marriage?

Lack of communication

Poor communication is a common marital issue. A lot of couples push their problems aside rather than trying to talk about and fix them. They may get set in their ways and in the roles of the relationship, allowing for resentments to grow.

What is the 7 7 7 rule in marriage?

The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship strategy to keep romance alive by scheduling consistent quality time: a date every 7 days, a night away every 7 weeks, and a longer holiday every 7 months, ensuring regular reconnection and preventing drifting apart through intentional presence and fun. It's a framework for prioritizing the partnership amidst daily routines, fostering stronger communication, intimacy, and fun.
 

What are the 5 P's of marriage?

The "5 Ps of Marriage" aren't a single, universal concept but often refer to different frameworks, commonly emphasizing Priority, Pursuit, Partnership, Provision, and Protection (especially in a traditional context for husbands), or focusing on qualities like Patience, Forgiveness, Communication, Trust, and Respect, highlighting continuous effort, teamwork, and emotional investment to build a strong, lasting union. 

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44 related questions found

What is the 2 2 2 2 rule in marriage?

The 2-2-2 rule is a relationship guideline for couples to maintain connection by scheduling intentional time together: a date night every 2 weeks, a weekend away every 2 months, and a week-long vacation every 2 years, helping to prioritize the relationship amidst daily stresses and routines. It's a framework for regular quality time, communication, and fun, originating from a Reddit post and gaining traction for preventing couples from drifting apart by focusing on consistent connection. 

What are the 3 C's in a marriage?

The most common "3 C's" for a successful marriage are Communication, Compromise, and Commitment, representing open dialogue, mutual give-and-take, and dedication to the partnership through challenges, forming the core pillars for lasting connection and fulfillment. Other variations sometimes include Connection, Consistency, or Compassion, but these core three are widely recognized as fundamental.
 

What are the four golden rules of marriage?

Follow the four golden rules – don't lie, keep your promises, argue productively and always play nice – and your relationship will never go anywhere but forward.

How to make love unforgettable?

10 ways to make your love unforgettable

  1. Take your partner's breath away. ...
  2. Do something special on a regular basis. ...
  3. Frequent, loving eye contact (some culture call it eye gazing) is an especially powerful connection tool for bonding. ...
  4. Learn what pleases your partner sexually. ...
  5. Teach your partner what you like.

What are 7 promises of marriage?

The "7 vows of marriage" most commonly refer to the Hindu tradition of Saptapadi, where couples take seven steps (pheras) around a sacred fire, with each step symbolizing a specific promise for their life together, focusing on nourishment, strength, prosperity, family, health, friendship, and eternal love. While different cultures have vows, these seven vows are a distinct set found in Hindu weddings, covering core aspects of partnership like duty, support, wealth, children, and fidelity, ensuring a balanced, lifelong commitment.
 

What are the red flags in marriage?

Red flags in marriage include abuse (physical, emotional, financial), contempt and disrespect, lack of trust (infidelity, secrecy), poor communication (stonewalling, constant criticism), addiction, controlling behavior, and refusal to seek help, all pointing to deeper issues with trust, respect, and connection that erode the relationship's foundation. 

What is the hardest stage of marriage?

The hardest times in a marriage often occur during major life transitions, such as the first few years (adjusting to combined lives), around years 7-10 (the "7-year itch" or peak dissatisfaction as issues surface), and when raising children or entering retirement, with specific challenges often involving finances, communication breakdowns, differing expectations, parenting conflicts, and significant external stressors like job loss or health issues, though every couple's experience varies. 

What makes a marriage fail?

Effective communication is the backbone of a healthy relationship; when it fails, the foundation starts to crumble. Poor communication can manifest in various ways. It may happen if a couple constantly talks over each other, fails to listen attentively, or ignores each other's needs and concerns.

What are signs of an unhappy marriage?

Signs of an unhappy marriage often involve communication breakdowns (frequent fights, stonewalling), lack of intimacy (emotional or physical), constant criticism or contempt, growing apart, resentment, secrecy, and fantasizing about life alone. Partners might feel lonely within the marriage, neglect each other, or find their spouse's presence annoying, leading to emotional withdrawal or seeking distractions.
 

What makes marriage last long?

Instead, great marriages are made when two people are reasonably compatible, when each looks for the good in the other, and when there is mutual support, forgiveness, and respect. No one finds the perfect spouse. We all have our shortcomings. Dwelling on the imperfections of your spouse poisons the relationship.

What are the three A's of marriage?

The most common "3 A's of Marriage" are Attention, Affection, and Appreciation, representing key pillars for a strong, happy relationship, while other versions focus on concepts like Attachment, Attunement, and Admiration, or even negative "A's" leading to divorce like Adultery, Abandonment, Abuse, and Addiction. Generally, the positive "3 A's" emphasize giving your partner focused time (Attention), physical and emotional closeness (Affection), and recognizing their value (Appreciation). 

What three words make a woman want you?

Mastering Seduction: 3 Magical Words to make a woman want you

  • “You Inspire Me” Imagine the sparkle in her eyes when you utter these words. ...
  • “I Trust You” Trust forms the bedrock of any meaningful relationship. ...
  • “You Are Beautiful” ...
  • “I Love You”

What are the three things a man needs?

These are important values to us at every age and stage of our lives and when we line these up with the three things a man needs, that is: to love someone – i.e. healthy living; to do something meaningful – i.e. purpose, sense of achievement; to have something to look forward to – i.e. connectedness to community.

What age are girls best in bed?

There's no single "best" age, as female sexual peaks vary; while biological fertility peaks in the 20s, many women report increased desire, confidence, and orgasm quality in their 30s, with satisfaction often continuing to improve or remain high into their 40s and beyond due to experience, despite hormonal shifts. Factors like relationships, health, stress, and life stages (like parenting) heavily influence sexual peaks, meaning it's a personal journey, not a universal age. 

What is the 7 7 7 rule for marriage?

The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship strategy to keep romance alive by scheduling consistent quality time: a date every 7 days, a night away every 7 weeks, and a longer holiday every 7 months, ensuring regular reconnection and preventing drifting apart through intentional presence and fun. It's a framework for prioritizing the partnership amidst daily routines, fostering stronger communication, intimacy, and fun.
 

What are the 5 pillars of happy marriage?

Five Pillars Of A Thriving Marriage

  • Communication: The Bedrock of Trust and Understanding. ...
  • Cultivating Shared Values and Goals: Charting the Course Together. ...
  • The Power of Appreciation and Affection: Nurturing the Flame. ...
  • Embracing Conflict Resolution: Turning Disagreements into Opportunities for Growth.

What are the top 3 marriage problems?

The top 3 marriage problems consistently cited by experts are communication breakdowns, financial disagreements, and intimacy issues, which often lead to deeper conflicts like differing parenting styles, unequal chores, lack of appreciation, and trust issues. Addressing these requires open dialogue, setting boundaries, financial planning, scheduled quality time, and rebuilding emotional and physical closeness to prevent resentment from building. 

What are the signs of a healthy marriage?

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  • Trust. Our marriage space is sacred and private.
  • Restraint. We resist temptation and remain true to each other.
  • Intimacy. We are open with each other.
  • Priorities. We both put our marriage first.
  • Difference. ...
  • Sameness. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Fairness.

How do you keep the spark alive in marriage?

How to keep the spark in a relationship alive

  1. Ask for something new every week. The first step in keeping the spark alive is knowing what “the spark” means to you. ...
  2. Put your phone down. ...
  3. Make eye contact. ...
  4. Try something new together. ...
  5. Spend time apart. ...
  6. Start a conversation. ...
  7. Kiss. ...
  8. Make laughing together a top priority.

What is the number one key to a successful marriage?

The Keys to a Successful Marriage

  • Communicate clearly and often. ...
  • Tell your spouse that you're thankful for having them in your life. ...
  • Make time for you two as a couple. ...
  • Plan for some personal time. ...
  • Understand that it's OK to disagree. ...
  • Build trust. ...
  • Learn to forgive.