Choosing a lifelong partner carelessly—making the decision too quickly or at too young an age; being too eager; trying to please someone else; having unrealistic expectations or unaddressed personality problems—can all too often result in loneliness, disillusionment, and heartbreak in a marriage. A healthy marital relationship is more likely when the selection of a potential mate is based on essential compatibilities—spiritual, character, emotional, and communicational. With the investment of both partners to build into the marriage, you can have a relationship where love, intimacy, and happiness have the potential to thrive.