PURELEI Love Story 2/3 – Partnership

In the second episode of our PURELEI Love Story Series you will get to know Janina and Timo. These two lovebirds have been together since 2010, which means they've been through their ups and downs together - but as you'll see, they're still crazy about each other. It was super exciting for us to see them together, as Janina is the team lead of our design team and we finally got to meet her fiancé Timo.

We all know that keeping a relationship happy and healthy can be challenging at times. So it's always amazing to see living proof that it can work as long as you truly love each other and grow in your relationship. Let's find out what love, as well as each other's partner, means to Janina & Timo means - maybe we can conclude from this what the ingredients are for a healthy relationship like yours.

Janina, what does love mean to you?

Love is something incredibly emotional, you can be yourself and, best of all, you have a partner who loves you for who you are. You encourage each other. You feel what the other person is feeling. You will become the best version of yourself.

What does Timo mean to you?

For me, Timo is my person. He is my best friend, he is the man of my dreams and I don't want to miss him from my life. He is the best person I know

Describe Timo in just a few words.

Timo is the funniest, most loyal, caring, gentle and loving person.

How would you describe love in four words?

It's passion, fulfillment, strength and that you are always there for each other.

Timo, what does love mean to you?

Love to me means being appreciated, being welcomed and feeling at home when you are with that person.

How would you describe love in a few words?

It is meaningful to have trust, loyalty and to be strengthened by someone else. When you have support and know that someone else believes in you.

What does Janina mean to you?

In one word: everything. It is their loyalty, their purity and their joy of life that make them so special.

Can you handle this level of cuteness? It really hit me...

Okay, now that I've recovered, let's put together some ingredients for a healthy relationship:

• Trust: Mutual and unprotected trust - that's a BIG thing. It takes time to build trust, but it's worth it when you have 100% trust in your partner.
• Communication: We all know communication is key. Talk to each other, take your time, listen and ask questions, share your thoughts and feelings.
• Loyalty: Being loyal means more than being faithful, but also being reliable and defending your partner when someone speaks negatively about them.
• Strengthening: Support and strengthen your partner. Be her/his rock, always have her/his back and encourage her/him to pursue her/his dreams.
• Respect: Show respect for your partner's opinions, decisions (even if you may occasionally disagree) and boundaries. Respect them for their achievements and who they are.
• Appreciation for each other: Show your appreciation for what your partner does for you.
• Independence: Still be yourself. Spend time apart, meet up with your friends, pursue hobbies and goals. Make time for activities outside of your relationship.
• Empathy: Look at situations from your partner's point of view, try to understand how she/he feels. Show your loved ones that you are there for them.

Well, these are just some of the things that make up a healthy relationship, but it's not magic and we can all work on it. Is there such a thing as a perfect relationship? If you ask me, love is not perfect. There is no such thing as a flawless relationship. These mistakes, the daily challenges of life, make them real. It's the little moments that become unforgettable memories: a single look, a kiss or a laugh. Cherish these moments and keep them in your heart. Let's never take our partners for granted and always show how much we love them.

Click here to send a free postcard to your loved ones and tell them how much you love them.

Also a big mahalo to our wonderful couples who shared their love story with us! We don't take it for granted that people talk so openly to outsiders about their feelings for each other. We are very grateful to Janina and Timo as well as Nardos, Viet, Aurora and their daughter Philia that we were allowed to be part of their personal story.

I'm sending you lots of love,

Chiara