Marry someone you like. Not just someone you love. Like is actually more important and much more powerful than Love. Like is what really makes a relationship withstand the test of time.

You can fall in Love with someone who is not right for you. Who you are not compatible with. Even with someone who mistreats you.

You can love someone, but understand that they are not right for you. That they do not fit into aspects of your life.

That your personalities are so different that a long term commitment simply will not work.

This does not make your Love for them any less real, but it puts the rest of the relationship into perspective.

Love is wonderful. There is no better feeling. Love is not all you need. Do not underestimate the importance of like.

It is big Love gets the headlines, but like is what lasts.

People who genuinely like each other have a better chance of not falling out of Love with someone.

Do you like being with the person, just hanging out doing nothing? Do you enjoy having conversations with the person?

Do you respect his values and ethical standards? Does he make you laugh? Do you just plain, old like being in the same room?

Lack of Love does not make for unhappy marriages, lack of friendship does. – Nietzsche

You need mutual respect, compromise, sacrifice, understanding, willingness to work at it and stand together when times get rough.

You need to be by his side not only during the bright days but during the dark ones. Encourage to become the best version, but also to love and accept as he is today.

Love may be the fire of a relationship, but if it is left alone, any fire will eventually burn out, no matter how strong.

Friendship, actually liking someone as a person, and all of the great qualities you share is the kindling. It is the consistent stoking that will keep the fire burning.

You can have a friendship without a relationship, but you can’t have a relationship without a friendship.

Build your foundation first, and only then will you be able to weather the storms together, side by side, as friends.