Welcome to Gaia! ::

With Valentine’s Day approaching, you may be planning a romantic evening with your partner or a gift of flowers and chocolate. And while it’s true that celebrating this special day will probably earn you points with the loved one in your life, it’s important to note that tit takes more than gifts to create a lasting relationship.

To create a strong, fulfilling relationship that lasts long past Valentine’s Day, consider these tips:

1. Accept your partner just as he or she is. Don’t try to change him o r her into someone else.
2. Support your partner’s goals and dreams – and expect the same in return.
3. Offer sincere compliments with your loved one.
4. Be faithful. Honor your commitment with your loved one.
5. Be friends. Talk, laugh, and just spend time together.
6. Argue fairly. Don’t call names or be cruel (no attitude tones or mean tones). Think about what you’re going to say – and how it will sound out loud – before you say it.
7. Apologize – and mean it – when you make a mistake in the relationship.
8. Realize it’s OK to have differences.
9. Take the time to really listen to your loved one – whether he or she is telling a funny story or sharing a concern.
10. Practice your own private rituals such as kissing good morning, leaving notes for one another or calling with kind words at work.

This is what is on my mind today. Enjoy!

Honest, in my mind, goes hand in hand with being faithful and a friend. But yes, it is a very important one that should be number one on anyone’s list even if it hurts.

I thought it was also, so I had to share. Feel free to add on to it. blaugh

Today is Valentines day and the first time I've had a decent valentine in years. Tommorow Ted and I will have been together for 11 months. I think the reason our relationship is so good is because we were friends for about four years before we oficcially got together. We know each other very well and know that we're meant to be together.

It's true that you will just know once you've found the person you're meant to be with, but far too many people mistake, lust, friendship and empathy for love. While these things are all important in a relationship, they themselves are not really love and a relationship will only last so long without it. Sad to say, I had to find that out the hard way. Most do I suppose. But some never learn.