This is one of the questions I have on a survey that I have on the Family History page.  I felt that it is important enough to put here for anyone who would like to read it.

The absolute best insurance for keeping your relationship strong as it can be is simply this: build each other up, rather than tearing each other down.

Hopefully these thoughts will make you stop and think about how you treat that important person in your life.
 

	We fall in love with a man or a woman because of the way we feel about ourselves when we are with them.  So to attract and keep a mate, who is hopelessly and passionately in love with you, you must help your partner feel good about himself or herself.
	A relationship is more than just two people living side by side.  It is a refuge against the world, a place to feel safe, to be nurtured, to grow.  In a relationship each individual has the perfect opportunity to become more than they could ever be alone.  As a unit, the two of you are a much stronger force than you are as individuals.
	It takes five seconds to make your mate feel good, to make his or her day.  Only five seconds to turn a frown into a smile and put a bounce in his or her step for the rest of the day.  It will make your mate’s day to know that:     *You feel you are the luckiest person alive to have him or her in your life.      *You can’t imagine what your life would be like without him or her.    *Your mate is the best thing that ever happened to you.   *Your mate makes you very happy. *The lawn looks great. *You make the best coffee I’ve ever tasted. Compliment your mate on what he or she stands for, does, and says.  Don’t forget physical appearance.  For your mate to know you feel these things, they have to be verbalized.  You have to say them!  Once you start giving your mate a five-second compliment, it will quickly become a habit, you’ll become really good at it, and you’ll find you enjoy the results.  Not only is it important to give compliments it is also important to be able to accept one.  If you have a hard time receiving a compliment, try to remember that giving and receiving are the same thing.  When you can accept a compliment graciously you are actually giving your mate a gift.  It feels so much better to give a compliment to someone who can accept it graciously.  Accepting a compliment from your mate is a way of loving them by letting them love you. If your mate rarely gets a compliment from you, he or she won’t feel good in your presence.  Remember, you have to verbalize the positive things you notice.  Give your partner a compliment at least once a day.  Before you close your eyes each night, ask yourself, “Have I complimented my mate today?”  Compliment your partner in front of your children (you are a role model for them) and in front of other people.
	Pay attention to your mate’s actions and you’ll see that every day he or she is showing you in many ways how much you’re loved.  Although it may be a different way than yours, it has just as much value.  Here are some examples: Taking a walk with you Going shopping with you Taking you to a movie Cooking dinner for you Cleaning the garage    Fixing things around the house  Holding your hand    Massaging your neck and shoulders Snuggling up to you in bed Scratching your back  Caressing your face  Calling you in the middle of the day to see how you’re doing  Keeping the children quiet so you can sleep an extra hour   Warming up the car for you  Leaving the lights on for you if you’re coming home late Your job is to appreciate and compliment your mate for his or her style of loving you.

Aside from being a wonderful habit to acquire, ten-second kisses and at least 9 hugs a day is a daily reminder to keep your relationship something special.  To do that, you must treat it as if it were your most treasured possession.