What are the secrets to an intimate relationship? This is one of the most common questions I’m asked, so here are the five ingredients that are all necessary if you want to have a consistently successful intimate relationship.

Friendship

Friendship means being able to say anything to your partner because you have that ease of “best buddies.”    Best friends never take advantage of each other; they are there to help one another.  Any good partnership includes the same love you have for a best friend.

Trust

You cannot truly be connected to someone you cannot trust. That warm, mellow feeling we experience when we trust each other is a large part of true love.  Peace-of-mind in a relationship is vital to its stamina.  And trust, like anything worthwhile, is something we earn over time, gradually.

Respect

When it comes to love, if you respect your partner just the way he or she is when you first meet without wanting them to change, then that’s a good sign that love can prevail.  Whether respect can grow and blossom will determine the depth of your love.

Passion

That all-consuming feeling of pure lust, euphoric, overwhelming, distracting, beautiful thing we call passion can be spontaneous or it can come on gradually too.  Keep passion alive by kissing everyday to keep the juices flowing, recreating passionate memories and trying new and exciting activities together.

Communication

Communication is like that magic spice that brings out the flavor of all the other ingredients. Not only does good communication enrich your partnership, it takes a big chunk out of everyday stress. Compliment your partner every day with physical and appreciative compliments; let him or her know that they are making a difference to your life and share your wants and needs because nobody can read your mind, not even the one you love!