Relationships are a two-way street in every way, including the effort that goes into making the relationship work.  You mean relationships take work?  I though they were supposed to be easy?  Yes, relationships take work to make them last.  And, if both people aren't giving at least 100% to the relationship, the one who is giving their all will not tolerate it forever.

Even when people don't openly acknowledge it, they eventually get tired of being the only one making any effort to make a relationship work.  People like to know that their efforts are recognized and appreciated.  The occasional note or kind word helps, but the "proof is in the pudding," as they say.  Your actions truly do speak louder than your words ever will. 

For instance, if one person is doing all the housework, while the other one "relaxes" in front of the television, the one doing the housework may get tired of being the only one doing anything around the house.  True, you may have worked all day, but so have they.  Ever wonder why your partner is too tired for sex at the end of the day, and you're ready to go?   Chances are, if some of the housework was shared, you may both be a little tired, but it's certainly better than one of you being exhausted, while the other is raring to go.

Another example is affection.  If one partner is the only one making the advances in the romance department, they may sometimes feel like you don't have the desire to be intimate with them, and may lose interest from time to time.  Again, a two-way street here is mutually beneficial.

There are many examples of this, but it comes down to this.  If you are giving 100% to a relationship, and so is your partner, both of you will feel fulfilled and happy, and neither of you will feel neglected or taken advantage of.  And, as a final thought, if you are giving 100% to the relationship, you won't have the time to worry about whether or not your partner is.  It's not something to badger your partner about.  It's something to be talked about openly, and when it's happening, it will be obvious to both of you, possibly in ways you can't imagine. 

This article is an excerpt from the book Missing Pieces: 21 Secrets of a Successful Relationship by Will Irvin, now available from Lulu.com in paperback, hardcover, and for download.