Often in relationships, opposites truly do attract. Differences can add novelty and spark, and they're often what draw us to each other at the beginning.
But as a psychologist who studies couples (and as a husband), I can say with confidence: Long-term relationship health depends less on how different two people are and more on what they actually have in common. Shared ground is one of the most important ways for partners to build a rhythm together, and that rhythm can determine how long a relationship lasts.
Here are five things people in the happiest relationships share in common with their partner.
You don't need to have the same favorite comedian or comedy movie to share a sense of humor. What matters is that you laugh together — and regularly.
Healthy couples usually find the same kinds of things funny in everyday life. They often use humor to their advantage: turning frustrating moments into something manageable, and building a shared bank of inside jokes and references.
