It really depends a lot on the relationship. For my wife and I it's really been effortless, though I'm not sure how long the "honeymoon phase" is meant to last. We're only coming on our second anniversary.
The best advice I've ever heard is that your partner should be your best friend. They should be the easiest person to talk to. When something good happens and you want to share it or something bad happens and you need to talk about it, they should be the first one you think of. You shouldn't feel drained by spending time with them (despite normally being an introvert, I don't find myself needing "alone time" where my wife is concerned). You should be able to be happy for no other reason than that they're happy. You should be able to put their happiness before your own when it's important (though you shouldn't tolerate an abusive relationship). You should always put them before anyone else. You should never lie to them, or feel the need to.
It really depends a lot on the relationship. For my wife and I it's really been effortless, though I'm not sure how long the "honeymoon phase" is meant to last. We're only coming on our second anniversary.
The best advice I've ever heard is that your partner should be your best friend. They should be the easiest person to talk to. When something good happens and you want to share it or something bad happens and you need to talk about it, they should be the first one you think of. You shouldn't feel drained by spending time with them (despite normally being an introvert, I don't find myself needing "alone time" where my wife is concerned). You should be able to be happy for no other reason than that they're happy. You should be able to put their happiness before your own when it's important (though you shouldn't tolerate an abusive relationship). You should always put them before anyone else. You should never lie to them, or feel the need to.