Most couples think love and attraction are enough, but the real foundation of a healthy relationship is emotional safety . That’s the quiet confidence of, “I can tell you the truth and I won’t be punished or ignored. My heart is protected with you.” Without that, people start to shut down, hide how they really feel, and emotionally check out even if they’re still physically present. You can live in the same house and still feel alone when it’s not safe to be honest. The first