Here’s why a strong friendship lays the foundation for a long-lasting marriage.
When it comes to choosing a life partner, it’s easy to get carried away by romance, passion and butterflies in your stomach. But what if the secret to a long-lasting, deeply fulfilling marriage is less about strong chemistry and more about having a solid friendship? While love is the spark that ignites many relationships, it seems that friendship is what really fuels the fire for the long haul.
Here are two reasons why friendship is essential to the longevity and success of a marriage, according to research.
1. Friendship makes for highly satisfying marriages
A 2017 study was published on Journal of Happiness Studies found that being married can significantly increase life satisfaction and well-being throughout your life together, especially when your spouse is also your best friend.
In a loving marriage, it’s the shared laughter, mutual respect and deep emotional intimacy that really make the difference. When couples build their relationship on friendship, they create a strong foundation that helps them face life’s challenges together.
While fiery chemistry or physical attraction may fade over time, friendship offers a more lasting source of connection. Couples who truly enjoy each other’s company, they share similar values and find joy in simple moments together, often experience greater happiness in the long run.
Even if you and your partner have differences, it is the respect and appreciation for each other’s uniqueness that binds you together. A strong friendship fosters patience, empathy, and understanding—qualities that are critical to a long-term, fulfilling partnership.
“Those who also consider their spouse or partner to be their best friend get nearly twice as much extra life satisfaction from marriage or cohabitation than others. One’s partner provides unique social support for every challenge one faces in life,” the researchers explain, calling such spouses “super-friends” because of this positive effect.
Whether you’re facing challenges at work, family life, or personal growth, knowing your partner has your back adds an invaluable level of security and fulfillment to your life.
2. Friendship protects your love in the long run
Research shows that couples who value friendship more in their relationship tend to experience greater commitment, love, and sexual satisfaction.
“Perhaps in order for love to grow over time, it is not enough to pay attention only to friendship, but also to invest in friendship,” the researchers suggest.
In fact, the more couples invest in their friendship—whether through creating shared memories, future plans, offering mutual support, or simply enjoying each other’s company—the more they reap the benefits of the relationship and create a buffer against common relationship challenges. , such as conflicts or resentment.
When the initial spark of love fades or when external stressors begin to take a toll on the relationship, having a stable friendship can help keep you connected. Interestingly, couples who place more importance on their friendship than on other aspects of the relationship, such as sexual or personal needs, are also less likely to break up.
Prioritizing friendship doesn’t mean romance or passion fall by the wayside. Instead, it acts as the glue that holds romance together, ensuring that love continues to grow and evolve. Investing in this friendship means investing in the long-term health and happiness of your relationship.
In the end, the real magic of marrying your best friend is in the quiet, everyday moments—the conversations that flow effortlessly, the inside jokes that just the two of you share, and the feeling of being completely understood by someone who knows you better than anyone else.
It turns out that real relationship success isn’t just about finding someone who makes your heart skip a beat. it’s about finding someone you love and like—someone who makes life’s journey richer, more fun, and more meaningful.
Want to know how fulfilling your relationship is? Take this quiz to learn more: Relationship Satisfaction Scale
