Couples who become lifelong friends as well as partners do these 9 things regularly

Companionship is a beautiful thing.

A woman with long brown hair smiles, nestled in the embrace of a man wearing a white shirt. The sun casts a warm glow, creating a serene and tender atmosphere. They both wear white shirts, enhancing the peaceful setting.

People are often confused about the concept of companionship in the context of a relationship. They don’t know what it really means, looks like, or how to go about building it.

Companionship is about being good company for the person you’ve chosen to share your life with. Couples that are good companions are best friends. They don’t just love each other; they genuinely like each other too. And they really enjoy spending time together.

Here’s how they manage it.

1. They’re a team in all areas of life.

A man and woman are smiling at each other while washing dishes in a bright kitchen. The man wears purple gloves and holds a plate, while the woman holds a towel and another plate. Kitchen shelves with dishes and utensils are visible in the background.

Couples who find companionship in one another make time for each other, and they usually share common values and views about what is good and bad.

They might have common goals in life and are willing to support each other to make those goals a reality. They work together to find mutually agreeable solutions to all aspects of life from the housework, to child-rearing, to letting their hair down and having a good time.

2. They make listening a priority.

A man with a beard and a woman with red hair sit by a window, smiling and engaged in conversation. The man wears a white t-shirt and the woman has her hand on his shoulder. Natural light filters through sheer curtains.

Arguments are not conducive to building companionship. Couples who make it their priority to listen to what each other has to say rather than trying to always get their point across, are more likely to have constructive discussions rather than destructive arguments.

3. They are willing to accept when they’re wrong.

A woman in pajamas rests her head on a man's back as they sit on a bed. The room is softly lit, with a lamp and a wooden nightstand in the background. Both appear contemplative and relaxed.

No one is always right. You will make mistakes and you will get things wrong. Couples who master the art of successful companionship recognize that and learn how to take the things their partner says as constructive criticism rather than a personal attack.

4. They find shared interests and activities.

An elderly couple in matching blue and gray activewear walks along a tree-lined street. They smile and chat while holding small dumbbells, enjoying a sunny outdoor exercise together.

A lot of the time, a successful relationship will be about sharing housework and other responsibilities. But that shouldn’t be the only thing a couple share.

Couples who become loving companions actively choose to spend quality time together. As well as organizing date nights, they look for activities that they can enjoy together.

Getting out and about and getting active has been proven to help strengthen couple bonds.

5. They have honest discussions about their wants, needs, and dreams.

A couple wearing plaid shirts sits on a couch, smiling and looking into each other's eyes. They appear relaxed and content in a cozy indoor setting.

Honesty is the key to companionship. A couple can never get what they both want and need out of their relationship if they aren’t totally honest and open about what their priorities are.

Couples who become best friends aren’t afraid to bare their souls and share what they see as their deepest darkest secrets. Confiding in each other helps solidify the bond between them.

6. They show their partner that they’re important to them.

A couple stands close together on a rocky beach with clear blue skies and water in the background. The man, in glasses and a gray sweater, hugs the woman from behind. The woman, with curly hair, smiles contently, both looking towards the horizon.

These couples make sure their partner knows just how important their companionship is to them, and that they don’t take them for granted.

As well as grand gestures now and again, they find small ways to show them this every day. Words are all well and good, but actions really show them they can trust each other.

7. They stay wary of dependency.

A man and woman stand close together at a train station, looking into each other's eyes. The man wears a brown jacket and a black backpack, while the woman is dressed in a light blue coat. They appear to be enjoying a tender moment amidst the busy setting.

There’s a fine but very important line between being a companion to someone and becoming dependent on them. A healthy couple should be able to rely on each other, but they should also still be able to function without each other. If you’re too dependent on your partner, then the relationship can be unhealthy.

8. They respect each other’s space.

A man with gray hair and glasses wearing a denim shirt is reading a book in a kitchen. He is leaning on a wooden table with a cup beside him. Sunlight is streaming through a window in the background.

A big part of making sure companionship doesn’t turn into codependency is respecting that both parties have lives outside their relationship.

Another aspect of building companionship is maintaining your own interests and friendships.

Couples who are loving companions respect each other’s space and don’t confuse their need to spend time with other people as a reflection on their relationship.

9. They are always open about finances.

A smiling couple sits together on the floor in a living room, engaged in reviewing documents. The man holds a calculator, and the woman holds a paper. A laptop and notebook are visible on the table next to them.

Let’s be honest, the practicalities of life are a huge part of any relationship. If you’re building a life together, you need to be honest with each other about finances.

Couples who go through life as both loving companions and romantic partners discuss financial matters and talk about their goals. They’re always on the same page.

Having financial transparency gives each partner peace of mind and reassurance that they can rely on the person they’ve chosen to share their life with.