7 Heartwarming Ways to Maintain Friendship in a Relationship

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Imagine sharing a secret smile with your partner amidst a bustling party or finding unwavering support during life’s toughest climbs. 

It’s more than just love; it’s the magic of friendship blossoming within a relationship. 

When your partner is also your confidant, your relationship transforms into a haven of trust, mutual respect, and shared adventures. This powerful foundation not only enhances love but also equips you to weather life’s storms together. 

In this article, we’ll explore practical tips for nurturing friendship in a relationship, uncover the incredible benefits of having your partner as your best friend, and look into why starting as friends can lead to a deeper, more lasting connection. 

We’ll also address common challenges and provide solutions to help you maintain this essential element of your relationship.

7 ways to maintain friendship within a relationship

Friendship in a relationship is an essential component that can elevate the bond between partners to a more profound and satisfying level. It creates a strong foundation based on trust, understanding, and shared happiness. 

Here, we explore several vital strategies to nurture and maintain the qualities of a best friend relationship within your romantic partnership.

1. Regular check-ins

Consistent communication is crucial for maintaining friendship in a relationship. Set aside time to discuss how you’re both feeling, not just about your relationship but life in general. This can include daily debriefs or weekly deep dives into each other’s personal challenges and aspirations.

• Start by doing this: Schedule a “no distractions” time each day, even if it’s just 10 minutes before bed, where you both can talk about your day and feelings without the interference of phones or television.

2. Shared hobbies

Engaging in activities you both enjoy can significantly strengthen your bond. Whether it’s sports, crafts, or reading, shared interests provide common ground and enjoyable moments that are vital for friendship.

• Start by doing this: Choose a new hobby to start together this month. It could be something like taking a dance class, joining a book club, or starting a garden. Commit to regular sessions where you spend time enjoying this activity together.

3. Support each other

Just as you would with a good friend, offer encouragement and support to your partner. This means being there during tough times, celebrating successes, and offering help when needed without keeping score.

• Start by doing this: Set a reminder on your phone to ask your partner about a specific ongoing challenge or project they are dealing with. Offer your help or simply provide a listening ear to show your support.

4. Keep things light

Incorporate playfulness and humor into your relationship. Friendly teasing, inside jokes, and spontaneous fun can keep the relationship fresh and exciting, enhancing the friendship and relationship dynamic.

• Start by doing this: Start a tradition of playing a board or card game one night a week, or watch a funny movie together. Laughter is a great way to keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable.

5. Respect boundaries

Every strong friendship respects personal boundaries. Understanding when your partner needs space or time alone is as important as spending quality time together. This respect for each other’s needs and personal space prevents feelings of suffocation and fosters individual growth.

• Start by doing this: Discuss each other’s needs for solitude or personal space. Respect these needs by perhaps designating certain times or areas in your home where one can spend time alone, undisturbed.

6. Be honest

Openness and honesty are the cornerstones of both good friendships and romantic relationships. Discuss your feelings openly and address issues directly but kindly. This transparency builds trust and prevents misunderstandings, pivotal for friends in relationships.

• Start by doing this: Next time you’re upset or bothered by something in the relationship, instead of holding it in, choose a calm moment to discuss it honestly. Use “I” statements to express how you feel without placing blame, such as “I feel upset when we don’t plan our weekends together.”

7. Plan adventures together

Planning and experiencing new activities together can rejuvenate your relationship. This could be as simple as exploring a new neighborhood in your city, or as elaborate as a trip abroad. Adventures create shared memories and stories, adding layers to your friendship within the relationship.

• Start by doing this: Create a “bucket list” of places or experiences you both want to explore. Each month, pick something from the list to plan and look forward to. This keeps the excitement alive and strengthens your bond through new shared experiences.

5 benefits of being friends with your partner

Friendship in a relationship is a powerful component that can transform love into a deeper, more meaningful connection. Integrating the qualities of friendship with romantic elements can enrich the bond between partners, making each moment together more fulfilling and resilient against life’s challenges. 

Let’s explore how being friends benefits both the emotional and practical sides of a partnership.

1. Deeper understanding of each other

When partners cultivate a best friend relationship, they naturally spend more time discussing their lives, dreams, and fears. This ongoing dialogue helps each partner understand the other’s inner world, values, and motivations deeply. 

Such insight fosters empathy and patience, essential ingredients for a fulfilling and compassionate relationship.

Example: 

• Friends: Alice and Bob share their dreams of traveling and building careers in creative fields. They frequently discuss their aspirations and fears, helping them understand and support each other’s decisions better, such as when Bob decides to take a job abroad.
• Not friends: Without that foundation, Clara and Dan might find it harder to grasp each other’s career decisions. Clara’s choice to pursue a high risk business venture seems reckless to Dan, leading to arguments as he can’t see the passion driving her.

2. Enhanced trust between partners

Trust is easier to establish when there’s a foundational friendship because friends typically share secrets, support each other, and demonstrate reliability over time. 

In romantic relationships, this preexisting trust helps partners feel secure and less anxious about vulnerabilities, making the friendship in a relationship a safe space for both individuals.

Example: 

• Friends: Emma and Frank have built a strong trust from their years as friends before dating. When Emma has to work late nights with a male colleague, Frank feels secure, knowing their history of openness and honesty.
• Not friends: Without that deep-seated trust, Grace and Harry struggle when Harry takes a new job that requires a lot of travel with colleagues. Grace feels anxious and suspicious, leading to frequent heated exchanges over commitments and loyalties.

3. Better conflict resolution skills

Friends learn how to manage disagreements without hurting each other because the goal is to preserve the relationship rather than “win” an argument. This skill is incredibly beneficial in romantic relationships, where conflicts might otherwise escalate or cause lasting damage. 

Understanding how to approach sensitive topics and negotiate solutions keeps the friendship and relationship healthy and resilient.

Example: 

• Friends: As friends, Isla and Jake learned how to talk through their disagreements about finances without escalating. They understand each other’s perspectives and can find compromises without resentment, like deciding how much to save each month for future goals.
• Not friends: Kelly and Leo, who never developed a friendship basis, find financial discussions turn quickly into blame games and arguments, with both parties feeling misunderstood and defensive, worsening their financial planning.

4. Increased support during tough times

Friendship involves a mutual commitment to support each other through ups and downs. 

When romantic partners are also friends in relationships, they are more likely to offer comfort and understanding during hardships. This unconditional support not only alleviates stress but also strengthens the bond, reinforcing the partnership during life’s inevitable challenges.

Example: 

• Friends: Mia and Nick, who’ve been friends since college, easily provide emotional support when Mia’s parent falls ill. Nick knows exactly how to comfort her and can anticipate her needs without being asked.
• Not friends: Without that layer of friendship, Olivia and Paul struggle to connect during stressful times. When Paul loses his job, Olivia doesn’t know how to offer support, making Paul feel more isolated as he navigates his unemployment.

5. Greater enjoyment and fun

Life is more enjoyable when shared with someone who not only loves you but also likes you as a person. Friends enjoy each other’s company, laugh at inside jokes, and share personal interests, which can all make day-to-day life more delightful.

 When couples maintain their friendship, they continue to create joyful memories together, keeping the relationship vibrant and exciting.

Example: 

• Friends: Sarah and Tom, having bonded over a shared love of hiking, frequently plan weekend trips to explore new trails, keeping their relationship vibrant and engaged with shared joy and laughter.
• Not friends: Without common hobbies or the closeness that comes from friendship, Vanessa and William find their weekends dull, often spending time apart with their own friends or engaging in activities alone, leading to a sense of disconnection in their relationship.

Why is it important to build a friendship before a relationship?

Building a friendship before diving into romance sets a stable groundwork for a lasting relationship. Friends-first couples often have a thorough understanding of each other’s personalities, which helps in managing expectations and fostering patience and acceptance. These are crucial elements that contribute to a healthy, loving partnership. 

For a deeper look at why you should consider being friends first, check out this insightful article on the benefits of friendship before a relationship.

5 challenges to fostering friendship in relationship & their solutions

Maintaining friendship within a relationship can sometimes present unique challenges. Addressing these effectively ensures that both the romantic and platonic aspects of your partnership flourish. 

Below is a table outlining five common challenges to fostering friendship in a relationship along with practical solutions to overcome each:

To learn more about the common problems that couples face in a relationship, watch this video:

Not just my lover, but also my truest friend

Is your lover also your confidante? 

The magic of a truly exceptional relationship lies in the seamless blend of romance and friendship. 

When you’re not just lovers but also best friends, you’ve found a treasure trove of shared experiences, unwavering support, and endless laughter. It’s a partnership where you’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders and safety nets. 

By nurturing open communication, mutual respect, and a deep understanding, you’re building a foundation that can weather any storm. So, cherish the friendship in your love, and watch your bond deepen into something extraordinary.