Healthy relationships are those kind of relationships where two people can accept and respect each others’ differences and work collaboratively in the interest of the relationship.
The test of a healthy relationship is the couple’s ability to negotiate their way through change in their lives because it is during times of change their relationship can become vulnerable.
Their ability to communicate non-defensively and respectfully (to listen as well as to speak) is a key factor and neither makes the other one responsible for their personal happiness. Each recognises that they don’t always have to be right. However, they are able to ‘complain without blame’ and are honest if something isn’t working because they realise that to withhold or to lie will cause a distance between them even if the other person never finds out.
A healthy relationship is one where there is forgiveness and where each does their best to consider the other, maybe not always getting it right but they can say sorry for hurting the others’ feelings.
A healthy relationship also remembers to appreciate the little things so that each will feel noticed and loved .