What is the most important thing in a long term relationship / marriage?

[7Wannabe5]

A poor girl wants to marry, a rich girl wants to flirt
A rich man goes to college, a poor man goes to work
A drunkard wants another drink of wine, and a politician wants your vote
I don't want much of nothing at all, but I will take another toke

C. Daniels

[arrrrgon]

I'm amazed the word 'love' has not appeared once in this thread!

But re: the question, I think the answer is going to be different for each couple, and may also be different at different times of the relationship for any particular couple. The two members of the couple might even have fairly different ideas about what makes their relationship precious to each of them. To paraphrase Bill Clinton(!) marriages are a mysterious thing.

I just thought that love was a given.