On Saturday morning, September 7, 2024, AWiB’s weekend session commenced after the monthly break in August. New and past members introduced themselves and networked before the session began at 9 AM sharp. The hot topic of how to keep your romantic relationship alive was raised, facilitated by Turunesh Teferra, Operations Manager at ICS and AWiB 2024 Board Member.

Young women who were single and looking for a good partner as well as women with decades of marital experience joined the round table discussion for sharing experiences and learning from each other. Tirunesh started off by asking everyone to introduce themselves and share their experience regarding relationships.

The younger participants asked what were the most important factors when it came to a successful relationship before marriage. They also shared their challenges in dating where differing aspirations, communication styles and certain dating norms made it difficult to sustain a lasting relationship. Those who had spouses shared how communication, patience, wisdom, appropriate timing, feminine power and humor helped them overcome difficult times and find harmony in their long term relationships and marriages.

Major Takeaways

• Finding out your values and having a healthy dose of self love will guide you in finding and keeping the right partner
• As you face challenges in your relationship take the following steps
  • Take time for calm and self reflection when things get heated
  • Find the right time to discuss pertinent issues arising in your relationship
  • Learn how your partner prefers to communicate and seek to understand his / her perspective
  • Remind yourself of the positives and what you love about the other person
  • Don’t go to bed angry – agree to resolve issues at a later time and make peace
  • Add some level of humor to your communication so hard-to-discuss topics can also be less heavy and easily discussed
• Understand your partner’s and your own love languages so you can receive and reciprocate love in meaningful ways
• Take time or do activities together regularly to connect, away from social media and other distractions

Share to your circles!