Not sure if "happiness" is quite the thing to strive for ( I know that must sound weird ) it's more a sense of "rightness". All couples experience times of challenge... all couples disagree. I don't expect my DH to make me happy... that's something i must create within me... but a partner should make you feel comfortable most of the time... like when you are with him you feel understood and respected. Never allow humiliation, fear, and isolation into your relationships... there's an old saying "Fear and Love will never live in the same house". Happiness is a symptom of a good relationship... not the primary objective.