What worked for us was communication. We actually never met for 18 months, just messaged.
My wife had left a bad marriage to go in to a bad relationship, and that’s where we started talking. We eventually met in 2012, married in 2014 and despite the odd bump are still together.
Right at the outset I made it clear that we were both equal and we would talk about any big decisions or purchases.
We worked together for about 9 years, as I was self employed, and quite often with my wife would come out and help me on site. We have probably spent a lifetime of hours together in the last 14 years but that’s what works for us and is probably why we understand each so well.
How we are isn’t for everybody, we also tell each other to fuck off regularly(not aggressively though) and call each other c*nts. It’s all part of what forms our relationship, along with good sexual chemistry and communicating about that as well. Regularly laughing together is good too.
I consider myself lucky to be in my position, she’s patient with me even though I can sometimes be a complete dick.
We get ours from a butcher in the UK, and we also get cows cheek.
I’ve done pork cheek curry as they really suit a slow cook so as you eat them they just fall apart.
Cows cheek makes brilliant bolognaise or chilli, again cooked slowly and they just fall apart.