Is your marriage built to last? The foundation of a lasting partnership rests on some building blocks that form the acronym CREATE: Chemistry, Respect, Enjoyment, Acceptance, Trust, Empathy. When these components are strong and plentiful, your marriage is vital and durable. When any of them are weak or in short supply, your marriage becomes troubled and fragile. Take this short test to determine where your relationship stands.

1. Chemistry
Chemistry is the sizzle, romance and passion that sweeps you away when you first fall in love.

Test yourself: How often are you turned on by the way your partner looks dressed and undressed? (1 = Rarely, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often)

2. Respect
Respect is more about how good of a person both you and your partner are than how good each of you make the other feel. You demonstrate respect by how well you listen.

Test yourself: How frequently do you listen to your partner and hear them out without interrupting?

3. Enjoy
Enjoying your marriage is simply about having fun just being with each other. When you’re with your partner (or even thinking about him or her) it makes you feel lighter and puts a smile on your face.

Test yourself: How often do you and your partner have lunch or dinner with just each other?

4. Acceptance
When acceptance is present, you feel welcomed as you, as opposed to having to prove yourself. When acceptance is missing, you feel judged and as if you can’t do anything right.

Test yourself: How frequently do you feel you can be yourself with your partner?

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