10 Quotes That NAIL What It REALLY Takes To Make True Love Last

One of the most common questions my clients ask me, once they've found The One, is: "How can I make this relationship last?"

It's a logical question, right? Once you've found the love of your life, you don't want to lose him or her. Yet we've all heard the dismal statistics about how quickly and easily your true love can morph into a ho-hum, passion-less marriage if you're not careful.  

So, if you’re basking in the bliss of a new love and, at the same time, peering over the cliff of fear, worrying that your amazing relationship won’t last, I have 10 love quotes to remind you what it takes to make true love last. 

1. "True love doesn't happen right away; it's an ever-growing process. It develops after you've gone through many ups and downs, when you've suffered together, cried together, laughed together." — Ricardo Montalban

Lasting love grows over time. Once the newness of your relationship wears off, you might think that love has faded, but don’t be fooled. The experiences you share together will deepen your love — even when things feels a little dull in the day-to-day living. Remember true love isn’t a one night stand.

2. "True love cannot be found where it does not exist, nor can it be denied where it does." — Torquato Tasso

True love is born in the seeds of kindness. To make true love last, you need to develop sensitivity to its presence in your life. Remember that your love started as a tiny seed, and you must water it daily with kindness.
 

3. "True love doesn't come to you, it has to be inside you." — Julia Roberts

I’ve noticed that people who have true love in their lives, also have a deep sense of self-love. So spend as much time nurturing yourself as you do tending to your relationship. 

4. "Love consists in giving without getting in return; in giving what is not owed, what is not due the other. That's why true love is never based, as associations for utility or pleasure are, on a fair exchange." — Mortimer Adler

One of the most powerful things you can do to help your love last is increase your capacity for giving of yourself ... freely. While healthy give and take is a part of any relationship, true love takes hold when you don't EXPECT anything back for the love you give:

5. "True love does not only encompass the things that make you feel good, it also holds you to a standard of accountability." — Monica Johnson 

Love takes root in a safe environment, one in which both parties take responsibility for their actions and for their own personal growth. Love makes you want to become more, give more, and rise to a higher level of your own humanity. 

6. "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't, they never were." — Richard Bach

Enduring love never dies, but you must let go of what you have to discover if the love you share is true. This quote will help you when you’re afraid you might lose the one you love if you let them explore who they are. Let this quote fortify your confidence to let go and not force something to last if it's not true love.

7. "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." — Maya Angelou

While your partner will definitely get on your nerves from time to time, true love never comes in the form of abuse, neglect or pettiness. That type of "love" is not worth having. Have the courage to see your relationship for what it is. See with clear eyes, whether you're on a first date or five years into your relationship. 

8. "I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies." — Pietro Aretino   

Bluntness can wound the one you love, but kindly delivered honesty is essential to a healthy, lasting relationship. When your partner says something you don’t like, listen with an open heart instead of a defensive one. Sometimes the truth stings. But love gives us the courage to truly listen even when the truth is hard to hear. 

9. "In a relationship, you have to open yourself up." — Neil LaBute

It’s human nature to self-protect and guard your heart when it’s been broken before, but the truth is — love cannot endure where both hearts are not fully open. And only you can open your own heart and reveal who you really are, so you can be loved — and truly love another. 

10. "Once a woman has forgiven her man, she must not reheat his sins for breakfast." — Marlene Dietrich

In a relationship that lasts, you will surely experience your fair share of problems, disagreements and even outright conflict. Let this quote help you when you feel disappointed or let down by your partner. Forgiveness is vital to enduring love and you can only embrace a beautiful today and look forward to a bright tomorrow if you let go of yesterday.

Remember — Enduring love doesn’t just happen! 
It requires you paying close attention to all of the subtle nuances in your relationship and tend to the tiny shifts and changes every single day to keep your relationship happily on track.

If you’re looking to implement these quotable teachings into your true love relationship, visit Leila Reyes, Program Manager for Calling in "The One" coaches training at ReclaimYourselfAfterDivorce.com.

And, if you're searching for the best quotes and memes to share with the people you love (or just want to feel inspired yourself) ... look no further! From the sweetest love quotes, inspirational sayings, and hilarious relationship truths, we've got you covered.