Yes,  there most definitely are no guarantees in life, especially when it comes to romance.  But I believe just as there are signs a relationship may be in trouble, the opposite is just as true.

Fact is, there are many couples who enjoy loving, healthy, stable relationships.  So, what are common indicators of a mature love?

The following are just a few signs your romance has the foundation to last:

1. You are free to be who you really are in the relationship. Couples who truly love each other do not feel the need to "play a role" or pretend with their partners. If you experience this type of freedom in your relationship, you are on the right path.
2. You do not view each other as extensions of yourselves. Contrary to the sentiment espoused by popular love songs, you know you are a complete human being who does not rely on another person to be complete.
3. You are confident in your love and do not feel the need to constantly search for proof or validation of it.
4. You both allow each other the freedom to pursue separate interests and maintain friendships outside the relationship.
5. You live in the moment while planning for the future having learned from the past.
6. You take responsibility for your life, but understand you can not control everything that happens.
7. You do not see yourself as the center of the world. You have the capacity to empathize with each other.
8. Even though you may share many beliefs and values, you realize differences in opinion will occur. However, you commit to disagree in constructive, healthy ways.
9. Though you are committed to your relationship, you are not willing to lose yourself in order to maintain it.

Finally, this listing is by no means exhaustive, which is why your help is needed!  What are some other  tell- tale signs of a relationship built to last?  Please share your thoughts with the community by commenting below.

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Being in love can make you feel as if you can conquer the world. The sun seems brighter and the roses seem redder. It is a feeling that makes you believe there is nothing you can not do. The passion you feel for your partner burns white-hot.

And it may also be ruining your relationship.

Sounds absurd doesn't it?  I agree on the onset it does, but let's dig a little deeper.  When you first fall in love, it is often described as being "lovesick."  

That is because of the two main chemicals involved: dopamine, a pleasure inducing hormone and norepinephrine, a hormone similar to adrenaline which increases excitement. When they combine in our system, the effect is  that heady rush we experience when we first become attracted to someone.

However, this rush of strong emotions is not permanent, so when it naturally fades, there are many who tend to think something is wrong in their relationship.

So, these individuals seek out other relationships in order to regain that dizzying feeling of pleasure and ecstasy.  In a sense, they have become addicted to the rush of falling in love. They abandon many promising relationships in their infancy in order to  bounce around from person to person in hopes of getting their next "fix."

In reality though, mature relationships are those in which the initial rush of first love has been replaced by an enduring passion. This passion is built on a solid foundation of deep commitment and complete acceptance both partners have for each other.

Couples in mature relationships also understand their feelings of intense passion may ebb and flow, but their shared values, trust, respect, acceptance, and love for each other is the cement that bonds them together.

In your opinion, what are some other differences between young and mature love? Please share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below!

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