A few years ago I read an article in USA Today that sent me right into a relationship rant.

The article reported that there was a new term popular among young people getting married for the first time. The new term?

Starter marriages.

As in the first one that you use only to break you in because you know you will move on to the next one.

Similar to starter cars, starter jobs, and starter houses.

Yeah, right.

Playing for keeps

If you are going to make a long term relationship work, you have to go into with the notion that you are playing for keeps.

If you go in with the same level of commitment you would have for your first job, you are in deep trouble from the start.

Advantages of playing for keeps

Here are three advantages of playing for keeps:

1. When tough issues come up, and they will, playing for keeps allows you to hang in there and work it out.

2. As a result of the stretching and work necessary in number one above, you grow up so much.

3. Playing for keeps provides each of you, and the relationship, with the sense of security needed to make it over the long haul.

Giving up is easy. Hanging in there to work it out is hard.

And worth it.

Visit http://www.SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. Subscribe to our f-ree relationship advice newsletter as well as our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.