diff --git a/grand/backends/_sqlbackend.py b/grand/backends/_sqlbackend.py
index 8d565e3..8a6591d 100644
--- a/grand/backends/_sqlbackend.py
+++ b/grand/backends/_sqlbackend.py
@@ -671,3 +671,9 @@ def ingest_from_edgelist_dataframe(
             "edge_count": len(edgelist),
             "edge_duration": edge_toc,
         }
+
+    def commit(self):
+        self._connection.commit()
+
+    def close(self):
+        self._connection.close()
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/grand/backends/test_backends.py b/grand/backends/test_backends.py
index d08fcac..5b345e6 100644
--- a/grand/backends/test_backends.py
+++ b/grand/backends/test_backends.py
@@ -131,6 +131,29 @@
         ),
     )
 
+# @pytest.mark.parametrize("backend", backend_test_params)
+class TestBackendPersistence:
+    def test_sqlite_persistence(self):
+        if not _CAN_IMPORT_SQL:
+            return
+
+        dbpath = "grand_peristence_test_temp.db"
+        url = "sqlite:///"+dbpath
+
+        #arrange
+        backend = SQLBackend(db_url=url, directed=True)
+        node0 = backend.add_node("A",{"foo":"bar"})
+        backend.commit()
+        backend.close()
+        #act
+        backend = SQLBackend(db_url=url, directed=True)
+        nodes = list(backend.all_nodes_as_iterable())
+        #assert
+        assert node0 in nodes
+        #cleanup
+        os.remove(dbpath)
+
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("backend", backend_test_params)
 class TestBackend: