<p>This paper examines the role of family relationships in contributing to well-being, focusing on two key relational qualities: support and joint enjoyment. These qualities are not mutually exclusive and are both present in family life, although not with the same intensity. Research on family relationships may emphasize either their supportive quality or their joint-enjoyment quality, with the latter highlighting their intrinsic value. Joint-enjoyment relationships are characterized by close, warm, and genuine interactions in which affection is reciprocally shared. While a substantial body of research has explored either the affectionate or supportive qualities of family bonds, the comparative contribution of these qualities to well-being remains underexplored. The inherently person-based nature of family relationships suggests that their joint-enjoyment dimension is particularly relevant to well-being. The study draws on data from a representative survey conducted in 2018 among the non-Hispanic White population in the United States to empirically contrast the two relational qualities. The empirical findings indicate that the joint-enjoyment quality has a larger contribution to well-being than the supportive quality. It is therefore concluded that the well-being co-created <i>in</i> family relationships is more important than the well-being obtained <i>through</i> the relationship. The paper advocates a shift in scholarly focus toward the relational and intrinsically rewarding aspects of family life. It underscores the need for improved measurement tools to assess the joint-enjoyment quality of family relationships and inform policy interventions.</p>