For the full expression of love and intimacy to exist and
for the deepest sexual experiences to be achieved in a marriage, there must be
friendship between a husband and wife.
According to Keith Davis (1985), friendship has eight
qualities. Ask each other if the other feels any of these are missing and what
you can do to proactively make that correction.
"Enjoyment.Friends enjoy being with each other most of the time. They feel at ease with each other despite occasional disagreements.Acceptance.Friends accept each other as they are. They tolerate faults and shortcomings instead of trying to change each other.Trust.Friends trust and look out for each other. They lean on each other during difficult times.Respect.Friends respect each other's judgement. They may not agree with the choices that a person makes, but they honor their decisions.Mutual Support.Friends help and support each other. They help each other out without expecting something in return.Confiding.Friends share experiences and feelings. They don't gossip about each other or back stab.Understanding.Friends are sympathetic about each other's feeling and thoughts. They can often read each other without saying very much.Honesty.Friends are open and honest. They feel free to be "themselves" and say what they think.”
Benokraitis, Nijole V., Marriages and Families (2005. p.142-143)
