True Love After 40

Trust is a critical building block of happy, successful, long-lasting relationships.  There are many important values, and for the purpose of this article I will focus on just two values that inspire confidence and build trust.  

1.    Loyalty.  "Loyal" is defined as "faithful to a person, ideal, or custom."  "Loyalty" is "feelings of devoted attachment and affection."  In a committed relationship, being loyal to your partner involves honoring and protecting your relationship as sacred.  

Being loyal in this case means your relationship comes first.  It doesn't mean the two of you are joined at the hip; it simply means that as an active participant in your relationship you hold it up as valuable and worthy of your respect.  Loyalty breeds trust.  Both partners in a loyal relationship can breathe easy, knowing the relationship is safe.

2.    Kindness.  The word "kind" is defined as "of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature; considerate, sympathetic, or understanding."  What wonderful words!  These words are values also, and the word "kindness" incorporates them nicely.  When you practice the value of kindness in your relationship, it brings you and your partner closer together.  

Humans crave kindness just as animals do.  What dog or cat lover doesn't know about that?  By practicing the art of kindness in your relationship, you will find that your bond is stronger.  When someone is kind to you, you want to act in a similar manner.  Kindness builds on itself, creating a benevolent snowball effect.

Speaking of snowballs, I got this ball rolling.  I'd love to know about your values and why they are important to you.  Marriages that have lasted for many decades incorporate the values of loyalty and kindness.  What values do you hold dear to your relationship's success?