Number 50 is my absolute favourite.
A study of over 2,000 over 50’s explore the real secrets to ensuring a love lasts through better or worse.
Researchers delved into the intricacies of a successful relationship and unearthed the 50 most popular responses to the question ‘what is love?’.
The research, commissioned by Retirementmove.co.uk found that on average, it takes approximately four and a half months into a relationship for love to blossom.
The keys to making it last a lifetime are adorable.
Results showed saying ‘I love you’ at least nine times a week is integral to long-term happiness while kissing, at least seven times a week is the key to ensuring the passion stays a light.
Encouraging silliness, getting along with the family and avoiding jealousy were also deemed crucial factors.
Only 9% of those surveyed believed in love at first sight but just under 50% believed in the concept of there being “the one”.
Building a home together proved to be the central most crucial concept to long-lasting love and shows that so much of the way we think about love comes from that sense of feeling at home and belonging to a place.
A home is so pivotal in the relationship, that one in six of those surveyed actually got engaged in their living room.
Two-thirds of the survey participants also felt that love grew better with age.
So without further delay, here are the top 50 ways to ensure your love lasts a lifetime.
- Supporting each other through tough times
- Building a home together
- Not taking each other for granted
- Missing your partner when they are away
- Remembering the little things
- Not being afraid to show weakness
- Being ‘in tune’ with each other
- When you can comfortably sit in silence
- Agreeing to disagree sometimes
- Knowing when something is wrong
- Holding hands while in your fifties and later
- Wanting them to let you know they arrived safely after a long journey
- Being able to confide in them about anything
- Valuing your partner’s needs over your own
- Laughing at each other’s jokes – even if not funny
- Going for a long walk together
- Worrying for their safety when they go on a night out/away
- Making tea/coffee for each other
- Feeling comfortable discussing medical or health issues
- Remembering life is for living
- Encouraging your partner in their career
- Supporting each other when parenting
- Not having to dress to impress them
- Knowing when to bite your tongue
- Having adventures together
- Suffering no embarrassment at total nudity with each other
- Encouraging silliness in each other
- Arranging surprise breaks away
- Cooking a nice mid-week dinner
- Feeling a sense of pride at how your partner conducts themselves
- Sitting through television/films you hate but partner likes
- Being able to insult them without them taking it personally
- Tidying up after yourself
- Getting on with your in-laws no matter how difficult
- Bringing home food (or cake) without being asked
- Sharing your last Rolo
- Being able to talk absolute gibberish
- Not minding them looking at other men/women
- Not being grossed out/ put off by anything they do
- Recording your favourite programme for you
- Admitting when you’re rubbish at DIY
- Finishing each other’s sentences
- Knowing what to order at the bar without asking
- Boasting to other people about your partner’s achievements
- Giving your partner control of the television
- Watching soaps together
- Getting up early to sort out the kids
- Getting nice presents especially jewellery
- Liking each other’s’ friends
- Hating the same things