Any of these reasons that go too far could break up a relationship. Chronic fighting without resolution, infidelity, trying to control your mate, projecting your baggage onto the other person instead of taking responsibility, picking on every liitle thing, etc. can lead in the opposite direction. I think the point for me would be yes, all these reasons are going to happen, it's just how you handle these situations together and as individuals that define the success of a long term relationship.


No one can predict how long a relationship will last under the strain of too much unexpected stress. All these reasons given are predictable . . . you pretty much know this is the way it works, but what really tests us is the unpredictable. Loss of a job, loss of health, loss of a way of life, adding children to the mix, having a parent move in, things that require major adjustments and shifts in the roles we are used to being in in a relationship can change in a hearbeat. It is a huge challenge to keep a relationship going in this day and age. This is where faith, trust, courage, tenacity and all those things that build our character come into play. How do we cowboy/cowgirl up (or not) to these challenges? No, really, I'm asking the question.


I think it would be good to get some feedback on people's experiences in relationships where working together brought you closer and what things alienated you from each other?