Research says that this one factor can influence how long your marriage will last

Love gurus and relationship experts have more than a few theories on what makes a happy, healthy and secure relationship.

Some think saying 'thank you' is the answer, while others say commitment is number one, and there are even a few researchers out there who believe that even height could have a bearing on how things pan out. However, while all these factors are all well and good, and may well be of some importance for how strong your relationship is, we can't help but think that the findings of this latest study far surpass these when it comes to predicting if your marriage or relationship will go the distance. What is it, you ask? Being friends with your other half. Ah, the power of friendship. Spotted on Women’s Health, we definitely agree with this one and the results are there to back it up. A study, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, established that in comparison to couples who aren’t close friends, couples who believe they’re friends as well as lovers are more in love, have better sex lives and are more dedicated to each other. The study surveyed 184 people, who were part of a couple for 16 months or more, asking them to value certain things about their relationships. These included companionship, friendship, security, sharing new experiences with their significant others and sex. People who said friendship and companionship were of utmost importance also had high results for the love and sexual happiness side of things. Obviously, there are a lot of factors when it comes to a ‘good’ relationship but it’s clear that having someone who you can talk to about anything and have a laugh with is high up on the list of desirables. What do YOU think, parents? Is your partner also your best friend? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @Herfamilydotie