Life has never been a smooth progression from birth to old age, and this one fact has broken up a great many relationships. People often struggle through life, and their partner cannot always help them. Some events draw people close, but other events separate them forever. Relationships that stand the tests and trials of life are ones where both people struggle to remain together, and this is generally a hard fought battle. Couples who persist have found ways to be supportive of each other, and they are determined to remain together no matter what happens.

Remaining in a relationship is a choice, and people tend to make new evaluations when life is difficult. They take a new look at their partner, and they may see flaws they never noticed before. This does not mean they should break off the relationship, but they will decide whether or not changes must be made. Staying with a partner for the long term is a combination of love, caring and the ability to see past their flaws.