Rule #1: Communication is Everything

Every relationship requires communication to remain healthy and strong. The marriage relationship is not an exception. You have to talk to each other to remain friends, and not just every day palaver. You have to really talk with each other. Your spouse does not know what you're thinking no matter how close you are, so you shouldn't keep him or her guessing. If you don't tell your spouse what you are feeling or your thoughts or motives, it fuels fears and assumptions. Don't allow those fears to grow into a problem. Keep your communication lines way open.

Rule #2: Be Interested

When you are communicating, get your spouse to talk about him/herself. Ask questions, and pay attention to the answers. The best thing you can do to maintain best friend status in your relationship is to really be interested in your spouse. Don't ask questions for the sake of talking, ask them because you really want to know. You may think you know your spouse well, but only through being thoroughly interested in your spouse can you really get to know them. Some couples who are married fifty years or more maintain that they learn something new about their spouse everyday. Keep the interest going and learn about each other's dreams, aspirations, likes and dislikes, and problems. Maintain a genuine interest in each other and you'll maintain your friendship.

Rule #3: No Secrets

There should be no secrets between the two of you. Your best friend is supposed to be your confidant. How can your spouse be your confidant if you don't share your secrets with him/her? You should never hide anything from your partner (unless it's a surprise that will be revealed later on to his/her joy). Hiding things from your partner just brings distrust to the relationship. Trust is the keystone to friendship, so how can you be best friends if you cannot trust one another?

Rule #4: Selflessness

When you come together in a relationship such as marriage, there has to be selflessness or it won't work. Everything that was yours is now ours. You cannot hold back items from your spouse and expect them to feel important. You should share everything. No item, person, or time spent is more important than your spouse.

Rule #5: Date Night

In order for you to remain interested and have time to talk, you have to spend time together. Couples should have a date night once a week, even those with busy schedules or children. Spending quality time with just the two of you is essential to remaining friends. You have to reconnect on all levels: verbally, emotionally, and physically. Spend quality time together and you'll be best friends all your life.

Rule #6: They are Special

Your spouse is a special person. He/She picked you to spend the rest of their life with. You need to make sure they know they are important and special to you. Find ways, particular to them, that help them feel special and make them a priority in your life. Your spouse comes first, no matter what.