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The great philosopher Aristotle once said:

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.

It's a beautiful way to think about love. After being in a happy, healthy relationship for 6 years, I can honestly say I truly feel "as one" with my partner.

But what does it take to make a relationship like that last? The secret is emotional closeness.

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Emotional closeness (also referred to as "emotional intimacy") is a strong bond where you feel safe, secure, and vulnerable around your partner.

It's more than going on dates and saying "I love you" — it's about building a connection through trust, understanding, and open communication.

Developing emotional closeness with your partner can be achieved in 5 meaningful ways.

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One way to develop emotional closeness is to simply spend more time talking to each other.

Share Stories

These stories can be anything. Memories, funny moments, personal experiences —anything that reflects your personality and life journey. Stories can open up discussions and create a deeper understanding of your beliefs and backgrounds.

Ask Questions

Learn how your partner thinks, feels, or reacts to specific situations. Some questions include:

• "What are your current goals or dreams?"

• "When you were a child, what did you want to be?"

• "What's your favorite memory of us?"

• "What's a hobby you've always wanted to try?"

• "If you could do one thing for free for a year, what would you do?"

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Whether it's participating in your partner's hobbies or exploring something entirely new together, shared activities create emotional closeness by creating positive memories.

You could try activities such as:

• Cooking a meal together

• Going for a nature walk together

• Taking a dance class together

• Reading a book together

• Playing co-op video games

Sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen when you and your partner can simply exist in the same space, each doing your own thing.

This practice of engaging in individual activities within the same room is called "parallel play". For example, one person might read while the other plays a video game.

The most compatible partners are not those who can constantly entertain each other, but who can simply enjoy each other's company. It's a quiet, comforting activity that can nurture emotional closeness.

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Showing your partner physical and verbal affection helps them feel valued, especially nonsexual displays of affection. Simple gestures like holding hands, hugging, or thoughtful compliments show that you care.

Your partner is more than what they physically bring to the relationship. To develop emotional closeness, it's important to appreciate your partner for who they are.

You might say things such as:

• "I love you so much."

• "You mean the world to me."

• "I appreciate everything you do for me."

• "You make me so happy."

• "I'm proud of you."

Remember, a healthy relationship isn't about being together all the time — it's about trusting your partner to enjoy their own experience, interests, and independence. Respecting your partner's boundaries lays the foundation of a healthy relationship.

How do I know if my boundaries are healthy?

Some examples of healthy boundaries include:

• Respecting alone time

• Maintaining your own social circles as individuals

• Respecting digital privacy and personal belongings

• Acknowledging each others' interests and hobbies

• Honoring physical comfort levels (hugging, kissing, etc.)

• Validating emotional needs and limits

When both partners feel safe and respected, emotional closeness grows.

Say you do all the activities listed earlier. How do you know that it's working? Consider the following:

• Are you unapologetically yourself around them?

• Do you feel comfortable being vulnerable and sharing your insecurities with them?

• Are you able to laugh together and find joy in the little moments?

• Can you rely on them for emotional support during difficult times?

• Are you celebrating their accomplishments and successes as much as your own?

If you answered yes to all, you and your partner have developed emotional closeness.

Building emotional closeness and a happy relationship takes time and effort. If you're making time to talk, plan dates, and show care for each other's needs, you're on the right track.