We live in this made up world that generally things that are built, aren't meant to last. But involving yourself in a loving, carefree relationship can be one of the best investments we can make. Good relationships will never lose their value. They will become better and healthier the longer they last.

Everyone envisions their life in the future. An old couple sitting on that park bench, right?! Sometimes we are so set on the future we forget to live in the present, to thank our spouses for the day to day things they do for us. We get so caught up in this every day life we forget to really value the relationship as a whole. Let's face it, we get so comfortable with our spouses and we get lazy. Never stop doing what it took to get your spouse to fall in love with you in the first place Never let them forget how much you still love them. Always make it a priority to remind them they are loved and cared for. After all, this is your happily ever after. About 40-50 percent of couples divorce each year in the United States. Don't be a part of that percentage just because you failed to give the relationship the effort it deserves.

I did some long hard research on the most key points to an ever lasting relationship and here is what I have found below to be most true to its words. I also interviewed 3 couples. I wanted to see where they stood after all these years. (I interviewed each spouse seperatley, so they have no idea what their partner said... until now.)

1. Maybe you struggle with words, or emotions. The best way I can communicate sometimes is to write, and why not write a love letter? Just a simple day to day gesture like this can speak volumes to the other spouse who may sometimes be feeling unappreciated.

2. Keep in touch what's going on in the relationship. Never restrict your partners freedom, but also grow together. Watch out for things like abuse, debt and anger. Those are called red flags. Address them early on, or you'll be sure to be left heartbroken or end in divorce.

3. Set healthy boundaries. Always show your vulnerable side, use pet names, do the forehead kisses, always find ways to build your emotional connection, and sexually too. We grow old, our bodies change (especially the woman's after having kids). Love every wrinkle, every stretch mark, every pound gained, every change your spouse goes through, love on them even harder. Slap their butt, kiss their neck. Don't let go of that innocence you two share, it's a very large part of the relationship, DO NOT lose your intimacy.

4. Pick your battles. Some people in relationships get so wound up over the littlest bit of drama, others it isn't bothersome at all. But if you want to make a relationship work you both need to be emotionally ready, don't lash out over minor bits and pieces of the puzzle. A lot of petty fights can do a lot of damage to a person and the relationship. Ask yourself that in years down the road if this matter will still effect your relationship, if so, work it out. If not, keep the peace and let it go.

5. Draw yourselves towards other loving and healthy relationships. Your relationship is likely to survive when your surround yourself with like minded people and relationships like yours.

6. When your relationship is struggling never be afraid to ask for help. Which resorts back to surrounding your relationships who are healthy and well like yours. When we need help with love sometimes we are reluctant to ask for it. But never be afraid. More times than not the other person has also experienced a set back like yours as well and would be happy to offer advice.

7. Never allow yourself to publicize your every fight, or move on social media. People will wish you all the happiness and hate you when you have it. As soon you something goes wrong, their opinions and views of your relationship are forever changed. Letting to much of the outside world in can really put a lot of stress on a relationship.

8. Always love hard. Never forget how you got here with that person you so fell madly inlove with sense day one. Cherish the struggles it helps you build a stronger relationship. And soak up the good as much as you can, that's the best part. You can argue all you want, but the moment you go to bed an "I love you." and a kiss, should always be remembered and done. Okay maybe sometimes when your being a hard ass you can slack a little bit, but eventually roll over for that kiss! Never go to bed angry, communication is key. Love your journey together, go build that bench, and sit on it, together.. 70 years from now.

Meet KC and Aaron Keen, they have been together for 5 years and have 3 children.

What makes your special other beautiful?

"Aarons amazing. Flat out. He loves hard and does his best to make us happy. He's easy to talk to and a genuine guy. I know that if I were in true trouble he'd be there. He makes me laugh to the point were we are crying. He lets me be myself. Something I can't do with anyone else. He loves me for me. Glasses, sweatpants, hairs 4 days dirty, stretch marks and every other flaw I think I have, he reminds me I'm flawless. Aarons a true gentlemen and an amazing role model for our kids. He has passions and does what he can to perfect them. He loves to be outside and just spend time with his family. He perfect." - KC

"Her strength and heart." - Aaron

What is one thing you forget to thank your special other for sometimes and want to now?

"I want to say thank you for taking a chance with me. For stepping up. Thank you for taking Eli and I under your wing. Supporting us. Loving us enough to become a forever family. I want to say thank you for always loving me even when I'm at my lowest, for supporting my decision and being my best friend. Thank you for working you booty off so I don't have to work full time and I get to spend time with the kids. Thank you for letting me cry about stupid pointless shit and telling me it's okay to feel the way I do. Aaron has been the greatest thing that has happened to me and without him I don't know where I'd be. So thank you Aaron for truely everything you do although my words could never express how much we really appreciate you." - KC

"Helping so much with everything." - Aaron

Tell me what you envision in years to come when your old and your kids have moved out? What does it look like to you?

"I envision that we will be able to travel. Travel to places that are so uniquely beautiful. That we will have a cozy house for our kids and grandkids to come visit whenever they please. That we will have land with a porch and wake up early, coffee in hand, to finally catch a beautiful sunrise like we've been dying to. ;) that we won't fight about stupid stuff but rejoice and reminisce in all the memories we have. To look at our children and know we did a damn job and now it's our turn to sugar up the grandkids and send them home for the night. To still be madly in love just like we are today." - KC

"Enjoying our time together and with our family." - Aaron

Meet Neil and Kari Hubbard, they have been together for 9 years and have 3 children.

What makes your special other beautiful?

"Her smile and natural beauty." - Neil

"His love and commitment to me and our boys. Well let's face it, he's pretty good looking too." - Kari

What is one thing you forget to thank your special other for sometimes and want to now?

"Thank you for loving me for who and what I am. In our marriage vows we said for better or worse and through sickness and health. You truly meant what you said." -Kari

"Being there when I need her" -Neil

Tell me what you envision in years to come when your old and your kids have moved out? What does it look like to you?

"Smiling and talking about our kids and vacation with my wife" -Neil

"We'll be back to our roots. We'll be able to spend as much one on one time together as we can handle. It's hard to do with three little ones running around. I love our boys so very much, but can't wait to sit back and see who and what they become. At that moment we will be back to "us", the reason this whole family started in the first place." -Kari

Meet Bob and Chrissi Miller. The have been together for 8 years and have 2 children.

What makes your special other beautiful?

"He listens, even when I am pretty sure he is not. He is hardworking. If he starts something, he makes sure he finishes it. (that maybe partly due to his OCDish ways) He loves the girls. He has taken on the role of Step Dad and has done a damn good job. From driving the my oldest everywhere possible to playing beauty shop with the youngest, he will do what he can for those two. He is funny. I can always count on him to make me laugh when I am in a bad mood. He is honest. He disagrees with me on things, and I am totally okay that he can tell me these things. He is gorgeous, what more do I need to say?!" -Chrissi

"What makes her beautiful to me is her confidence, the way she carries herself and the fact that she can leave the house without getting all dolled up and still look gorgeous. Doesn't matter what happens to me in a day, a smile from her reminds me how lucky I am. *pinches own arm*" -Bob

What is one thing you forget to thank your special other for sometimes and want to now?

"I forget to thank him for being patient with me. Sometimes my crazy comes out and I need to be reminded that I need to calm down. So thank you Mr. Miller, for dealing with my craziness...Sometimes on a daily basis." -Chrissi

"How hard she works. The selfless care that she gives at that hospital day in and day out. Ultimately giving our family a better life." -Bob

Tell me what you envision in years to come when your old and your kids have moved out? What does it look like to you?

"Lots of trips! Lots of traveling! Relaxing and spoiling our kids and grandkids. Also, we'll be reigniting the chemistry flame we had before the kids! Lol" - Bob

"I hope that we will be able to move out of MN to somewhere warm. We will get to travel more when the kids are gone. I hope that the girls will have learned what love and happiness is from us. That to be in a good long lasting relationship you have to agree with each other, disagree once in a while and agree to disagree. That we will be happy and still in love. I see myself pushing him in his wheelchair (because he IS older than I am) going on walks with our cats. Yes, we will be crazy cat people when we get old and can not take care of a big dog. Most of all, just being together. He does not have a choice, he is stuck with me :)" -Chrissi