What does it take to create and sustain a loving relationship through good times and bad? What "basics" need to be in place and can they be learned? Couples can protect their relationships from life stresses - job, financial, health, accidents or other crises - and the personal stresses and baggage that each individual brings to the relationship, such as a past history of trauma. Pulling together, balancing each other’s strengths and weaknesses, having personal integrity and awareness of individual baggage, and selflessly taking responsibility for not overburdening or taking advantage of a partner are all essential keys for caring relationships.