Three interlocking and overlapping qualities worth striving for in every adult relationship: 

Equality. 

We are equal. 

You may be wealthier than I am, more educated than I am, and had more experiences in a wide range of significant areas of life but, we are equals. 

You are not above me. I am not above you. 

If I have the lowliest job on the street while you command an army of assistants to do yours, we are equals. 

We contribute differently to the community but we are of equal value, divine value. 

Mutuality: 

Neither of us is more important than the other. 

I will pay for things as often as you do. I can choose our shared activities as often as you may. My voice in our relationship is as important as yours. We will each have our say in matters important to both of us. 

You are not in charge of us. I am not in charge of us. 

We are mutual participants in this friendship, marriage, or partnership. 

Respect: 

We respect each other. 

We speak well of each other to outsiders and talk warmly and kindly to each other. We honor each other with appropriate confidentiality and promote each other’s talents, dreams, and skills.

We give much consideration to how our individual actions impact each other and our friendship, marriage, or partnership.