Many people wonder how some couples manage to stay so happy when others seem to always be having problems or seemingly like something is missing, be it intimacy or a close emotional relationship. Below we'll reveal the three big secret traits that happy couples have in their relationships.

Open communication is a struggle for many couples. A lot of times two people in a relationship will often not share their true feelings or thoughts about a subject. Other times it's a process of not knowing how to effectively communicate these thoughts in a way that is not hurtful to your partner or leaves them feeling confused.

Many couples can avoid arguments when they communicate effectively. There's a big difference between saying how you feel and shouting it. Some couples may also have problems with talking about many issues in their relationship. One of the biggest reasons why marriages fail is from the two people in the relationship unable to talk to one another about important issues, their feelings, or to talk without arguing.

The good news is there are many self help books available that can teach you the tools to talk more openly with one another, even if it seems like the other partner doesn't want to talk about it. Some of these are featured below.

The second important trait that happy marriages exhibit is respect for one another's needs and giving to each other. Many times we forget that we need to think equally about our partner's needs. When one partner is doing all the work or thinks only of oneself, it is easy for the other partner to become resentful or angry.

Happy couples who think about their partner's needs ahead of their own together will see big differences in arguing about silly things like who is supposed to hang up the towels or why they always do what the other person wants to do. Becoming selfless is not natural or easy to do, but when both partners do this it is much easier for both to have their needs taken care of, rather than each person looking out for oneself as an individual.

The last important happy couple trait is to keep the romance alive in the relationship. It's easy to forget to be romantic, especially when there are the daily responsibilities and pressures of every day life. Romance doesn't have to be fancy, complicated, or even expensive. Giving each other a kiss every time you leave one another or writing little love notes to hide around the house can all make a positive impact on the relationship.

Being romantic accomplishes two things: it reminds your partner that he or she is loved, and it also gets you thinking about the relationship - which helps you put it as a priority just as important as all of the other demands of regular life.